After 12 years with Manchester United, Spanish custodian David de Gea has announced his departure.
David de Gea, the talented Spanish goalkeeper, has officially announced his departure from Manchester United after an impressive 12-year tenure with the club.
De Gea, who joined United from Atlético Madrid in 2011 for £17m, leaves behind a remarkable legacy. He made 545 appearances for the club, setting a new record with 190 clean sheets.
Expressing his deep gratitude, De Gea stated, “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.”
During his time at Old Trafford, De Gea was a part of successful campaigns, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, Europa League, and two Carabao Cups. However, with the arrival of Erik ten Hag last summer, his position has come under scrutiny.
Despite the challenges, De Gea’s remarkable skills were recognized, as he won the Premier League’s Golden Glove for the most clean sheets last season. As a result, numerous clubs are expected to express interest in signing him.
Reflecting on his time at Manchester United, De Gea added, “I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution. It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here.”
De Gea now feels it is the right time to embark on a new challenge and push himself in a fresh environment. He expressed his enduring love for Manchester and the impact the city has had on him.
Manchester United is already making preparations to find a suitable replacement for De Gea. Talks have taken place with Inter and Cameroonian goalkeeper André Onana, and a deal to sign him has been agreed upon.
In response to the news of De Gea’s departure, Manchester United coach Erik ten Hag commended his exceptional achievements. “To reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United takes great quality and character,” Ten Hag said. “To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the demanding goalkeeping position.”
Ten Hag acknowledged De Gea’s incredible performance, evidenced by winning Player of the Year awards from both fans and teammates on four occasions. He praised him as one of the best goalkeepers in the club’s history and expressed gratitude for his contributions during his first year as manager.
The entire team and staff at Manchester United extended their best wishes to De Gea for the next chapter in his illustrious career.