David De Gea confirms Manchester United exit after 12 years at club

 

David de Gea has confirmed his departure from Manchester United after spending a dozen years at the club. The Spaniard had joined the Old Trafford-based club back in 2011 from Atletico de Madrid.

The goalkeeper failed to agree terms on a new contract to extend his stay at the club. In fact, the veteran was close to signing a new deal but it could not be executed in the end. As per the reports in ESPN, the Red Devils are in talks to sign Cameron goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter Milan.

David de Gea took to his social media handle to give his gratitude to the club and the supporters.

“I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” De Gea wrote on social media on Saturday.

“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 bestowed 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 played 545 matches for Manchester United and ticked the right boxes for the team. The custodian also won the 2012-13 Premier League title under the tutelage of Sir Alex Ferguson. The Spaniard also won the FA Cup in 2016, the Carabao Cup in 2017 and 2023 as well as the Europa League in 2017.

On the other hand, the team’s head coach Erik Ten Hag also showered praise on David de Gea for his consistent performances.

In a club statement released on Saturday shortly after De Gea’s announcement, manager Erik ten Hag said: “It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United.

“To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight. To have won Player of the Year awards from both the fans and his teammates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.

“I am personally grateful for the 25 clean sheets he helped provide last season and his overall contribution on the pitch during my first year at the club.

“All the players and staff send him our very best wishes for the next phase of his outstanding career.”