GARY Johnson today revealed his Premier League ambition for Bristol City after signing a new five-year contract as manager.

City's boss committed his long-term future to the club when penning a new deal which could see him remain at the Ashton Gate helm until 2013.

Having struck a deal with chairman Steve Lansdown, the Londoner then spoke openly of his desire to bring top-flight football to Bristol.

"I know this is the place to be," said Johnson. "The chairman has told me about his and the board's ambitions and plans for this club and they are my ambitions as well.

"We've taken this club a long way in the three years I've been here and we now have a strong dressing room, a strong board of directors and a strong support base with record season ticket sales.

"We're heading in the right direction and it would be fantastic to take Bristol City into the Premier League. I want to be a part of that future and I'm looking forward to being the one who helps take this club forward to the next level.

"I'm honoured to have been offered such a long contract and I'm as excited about signing this as I was when I first came. The chairman has always given me what I've asked for and that's important. I trust him and he trusts me.

"All managers have ambitions and I believe this is the place where I can realise my ambitions. I don't know of anyone attached to this football club who doesn't want to be in the Premiership and I certainly wouldn't be committing the next five years to Bristol City if I didn't think that could be done."

Since moving from Yeovil to Ashton Gate in September 2005, Johnson has established a reputation as one of the most successful managers in City's history, winning automatic promotion from League One in 2007 and then guiding the club to the Championship play-off final last season.

Johnson could be buying into an exciting future. City are also moving forward off the field and last year announced plans to move into a new stadium in south Bristol.

Chairman Lansdown described Johnson's decision to sign a new contract as "a momentous day" and said: "This is right up there with the biggest decisions I've made in 11 years at the club.

"Signing Gary in the first place was the biggest decision and I'm delighted he's going to be here to see the completion of the new stadium and to lead Bristol City to bigger and better things on the pitch. This is a major step forward."

Johnson's track record – he has achieved three promotions in seven seasons with Yeovil and Bristol – makes him a potential target for bigger clubs and Lansdown insists a five-year contract offers City a degree of security.

He said: "I believe five years is right and I want to be working towards the development of a new stadium with the knowledge that I have someone beside me who I know and trust.

"It cuts both ways – I would be naïve as a chairman if I didn't think other clubs were looking at my manager and trying to entice him away if he was successful. That's why we've offered him a five-year contract to keep him here.

"There are always clauses in contracts which allow people to do other things, but I'm showing my commitment to Gary and saying he is the person I want to make this club a bigger and better place.

"We have a good infrastructure at this club and a good spirit and we want to prolong that."

Johnson's commitment will be welcomed within the dressing room and the manager acknowledged: "This will help us with new signings. Whenever you talk to new players, the first thing they ask is 'are you committed to the club and will you be staying?' The last thing they want is for a new manager to come in, who might not fancy them.

"It also helps with continuity and with getting your existing players to sign new contracts."