David de Gea leaves Manchester United after 12 years
Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea leaves Manchester United after spending 12 years with the Red Devils.
The 32-year-old has posted an emotional message on social media. It brings a glittering spell at Old Trafford to a close, having joined from Atletico Madrid all the way back in 2011.
De Gea’s contract expired earlier this month, and United previously agreed a new deal with the Spain international. However, the Red Devils then decided to pull the plug at the tail end of June.
Now, De Gea has now confirmed he’ll be leaving United, in order to pursue a new challenge elsewhere.
De Gea’s emotional statement after leaving Manchester United
“I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” David de Gea posted on Twitter.
“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. 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,” he added.
“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 posted.
David de Gea leaves Manchester United after making over 500 appearances
De Gea came to United as a young keeper from Atletico Madrid as Sir Alex Ferguson was eager to buy him. Over the next 11 years, he made 500 appearances for Manchester United, becoming only the 11th player in the club’s history to do so.
His trophy haul with the club consists of 1 Premier League title, 1 FA Cup, 2 English League Cups and a Europa League trophy as well.
The shot-stopper also won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times, which is a record at the club matched by Cristiano Ronaldo.
De Gea was the final member who remained at the club from Sir Alex Ferguson’s tenure as Manchester United’s manager and won the Premier League Golden Glove award in his last year at Old Trafford.
