De Gea (file photo)
‘Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all’
Manchester United goalkeeper and former captain, David de Gea, has confirmed his exit from the club after his contract expired last week.
Though the 32-year-old Spanaird announced this in the social media, he did not disclose his next plan, while commending the club’s supporters for standing by him.
He stated on his social media channels: “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters. I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years.
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“We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. I took incredible pride everytime I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.
“It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here.
“I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together. Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.
“Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all.”
De Gea joined United from Atletico Madrid at the age of 20 in 2011 in a £18.9 million deal and he won the Premier League, the FA Cup, two League Cups and the Europa League.
The Spaniard was also voted the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year on four occasions.
The former Spain international made a club-record 545 appearances for a goalkeeper and kept 190 clean sheets.
United held prolonged discussions with De Gea over a new deal and there was confidence on both sides of an agreement as recently as May.
However, there was a shift from United on De Gea’s position after an error-laden run-in when his mistakes contributed to defeats to Sevilla, West Ham United and Manchester City in the FA Cup final.
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