Former Manchester United goalkeeper David De Gea has made his return to professional football, signing a one-year contract with Fiorentina after spending a year without a club.
De Gea, who left Manchester United in the summer of 2023 after a 12-year tenure at Old Trafford, has finally found a new home with the Serie A club. The Spanish goalkeeper, who made 545 appearances for United and helped the team win its last Premier League title in 2013, had struggled with the transition after his release.
Reflecting on his time away from the game, De Gea admitted that it was challenging to accept his departure from Manchester, where he spent over a decade. Despite the heartbreak, he emphasized that United will always have a special place in his heart.
“United is a top, top club, and my heart will always be there,” De Gea shared. “I never considered retiring, but after 12 years at a top club like Man United, it was hard to find motivation for a new chapter. I finally felt that drive again at Fiorentina.”
De Gea also spoke about the difficulty of training alone during his time away from the pitch. “I stayed in Manchester for a year before returning to Madrid, keeping myself at a high level. Training alone was tough, but I remained dedicated. Manchester will always be my home,” he said.
Now fit and ready, De Gea is eager to get back on the field. “It might take some time to settle in during the first few games, but after playing for so many years, I’m confident I can quickly find my rhythm again.”