Portsmouth and Tottenham Hotspur-target, Richard Dunne has ended the speculation on his future by signing a new four-year contract at Manchester City.

The 28-year-old was reportedly close to a move to Pompey earlier in the summer following the sacking of Sven-Goran Eriksson, but Mark Hughes’ arrival at the Eastlands club worked positively for the Citizens in keeping the reliable defender and captain.

The Irish international is now tied to the City of Manchester Stadium outfit until at least 2012.

Dunne told mcfc.co.uk: “I’m delighted with it. My first priority is, was and always has been to stay at City because I’ve enjoyed it so much and I feel really settled here.

“When Mark Hughes got the job I think everyone was really pleased and I was thrilled that he seemed to make it a priority to sort my contract out. I’m delighted to be able to stay.”

He added:“I’m pleased now that it’s all been signed and sealed and I can relax a bit more now and concentrate on the season ahead.”

Hughes said: "I'm delighted with the outcome and Richard is a really important player for us.

“It was one of my priorities when I took the job that I made sure that he was one of the players we needed to keep."