( CNN ) -- Luis Suarez committed his `` long term '' future to Liverpool Friday by signing a new four-and-a-half year deal with the English Premier League giants . The 26-year-old Uruguayan international has bagged a league-leading 17 goals in 11 EPL starts this season to lead Liverpool 's title challenge . Suarez was the subject of two bids in the last transfer window from Arsenal , who currently top the standings , two points clear of second-placed Liverpool . But after his superb start to the current campaign he has chosen to extend his current contract , which was due to expire in 2016 . `` I am delighted to have agreed a new deal with Liverpool and have my future secured for the long term , '' Suarez told Liverpool 's official website . `` We have some great players and the team is growing and improving all the time . I believe I can achieve the ambitions of winning trophies and playing at the very highest level with Liverpool . My aim is to help get us there as quickly as possible , '' he added . Manager Brendan Rodgers was naturally delighted to persuade Suarez to sign on the dotted line , with the striker integral to his plans for the club . `` Luis is a world-class talent and securing his services is crucial for what we are trying to achieve here , '' he said . `` What 's most important and most exciting is that , at just 26 years old , his best years are still ahead of him and we now know we 'll be seeing him reach that potential in a Liverpool shirt . '' Suarez was signed by then Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish from Ajax Amsterdam in January 2011 and immediately impressed observers . But his time on Merseyside has also been marked by two highly controversial incidents , resulting in lengthy bans . He was found guilty by the English Football Association ( FA ) of racially abusing Manchester United defender Patrice Evra at a match in October 2011 and given an eight-game suspension . At the end of last season , Suarez appeared to bite Chelsea 's Branislav Ivanovic in an EPL game at Anfield and was banned for 10 games by the FA for violent conduct . With Suarez set to miss out on the start of the new EPL campaign and reportedly wanting to leave Liverpool , Arsenal tabled a record bid of Â£40 million ( $ 65.38 million ) plus Â£1 bid , designed to invoke the exit clause in his contract . It was rejected by Liverpool , who proceeded to make a strong start to the season , boosted by the eventual return of Suarez in late September after his ban . He has acquired hero status with the Liverpool fans -- desperate for success after seeing arch-rivals Manchester United take over as the most successful club in English football . Suarez said their support had `` influenced his decision . '' Suarez , who is expected to star for Uruguay in next year 's World Cup where they will meet England in the group stages , added : `` We have a special relationship ; they have love for me and in return I love them back . ''
Luis Suarez signs new contract at English Premier League club . Uruguayan international on four - and - half - year contract until 2019 . Has scored 17 goals in 11 EPL starts this season . Talk about his future intensified during last transfer window .