Ivory Coast player Yaya Toure has announced that he will stay in Manchester City amid the speculation of his football team transfers.

"The fans have always been good to me, they've always been good to my family," said the 31-year-old. "I want to stay. I will always honour my contract. I don't think about all this speculation. It's a big pleasure to stay and enjoy the next season."

His own agent, Dimitri Seluk was actually the onw who started the speculation after saying that the midfielder was disappointed by the team's failure to celebrate his birthday, even though a video on the team's website showed Toure blowing a birthday cake.

The player said that the speculation was "disappointing."

"Everything is fine now," he said. "There was a lot of speculation, you know. I think sometimes it's quite disappointing. I need to do something for the fans, it's important to let them know. They've done a lot for me. The team is preparing well and we will try to win again next season."

Seluk, who represented Toure, said: "I would like to say Yaya will stay at City. He won't go to any club. Everybody can stop speculation about this. Yaya will stay at Manchester City 100%. He has a contract, he will work very hard and I hope this season he will be the best player in England."

Toure also defended his agent, Seluk, saying: "He's quite strong sometimes but he's a very good guy."

"To be honest, we never wanted to talk about money. There are more important things than money. To be happy, healthy. Respect as well is very important."

Seluk said, "I hope now everybody will have a very friendly relationship." He even joked about his own speculation when he said this: "I hope his next birthday they will celebrate together."

With reports from: theguardian.com