Liverpool: Mamadou Sakho signs new long-term contract after being linked with summer exit

Liverpool defender Mamadou Sakho has agreed a new long-term deal with the club. The French international was facing an uncertain future at Anfield, but has now committed his future to the Reds.

"Liverpool FC are delighted to announce Mamadou Sakho has signed a new long-term contract with the club," a statement on the Reds' official site read. Sakho joined the Merseyside club in 2013 from Paris Saint-Germain and has made 47 appearances for the Anfield outfit thus far. This season, however, he has struggled to get into the first-team in the Premier League with Brendan Rodgers preferring Martin Skrtel and Dejan Lovren as his first choice centre-back pairing. The defender was linked with a move away in the summer with the club having reportedly rejected an offer from AS Roma to sign the defender on a season-long loan move with a view to a permanent move next summer.

Sakho made his first appearance of the season and captained the Reds for the first time against Bordeaux in the Europa League on 18 September. The French defender has expressed his delight after committing his future to the Merseyside club, and has labelled himself a 'Scouser' and a 'soldier' of Liverpool football club.

"I am very happy to sign a long-term contract with Liverpool because, as I've always said, I am very happy here and my family are happy in Liverpool," Sakho told Liverpool's official site. "I will keep working because I am a Liverpool soldier and when Liverpool need me, I try to give my best. I am happy to stay as a Scouser!

"I work all the time 100 per cent, I try to stay professional and I give my best for this city and this club. It is important for me because every day when I wake up, I am very happy to come into the training ground with all the players," the former PSG defender explained.