David de Gea’s anticipated departure from Manchester United this summer, amid extensive transfer speculations, has now been officially confirmed. The 32-year-old Spaniard bids a heartfelt farewell to Old Trafford, where he spent 12 remarkable years and made 415 appearances.
David de Gea formally announced his exit from Manchester United by sharing an emotional farewell message on his social media platforms. Speculations about the 32-year-old’s departure from Old Trafford had been circulating for some time, and he chose Twitter as the platform to break the news, which was later confirmed by the club.
De Gea, a seasoned international with 45 caps for Spain, originally joined Manchester United in 2011 from his boyhood club, Atletico Madrid, during the era of Sir Alex Ferguson. The club has been linked with the potential signing of Andre Onana from Inter Milan as De Gea’s successor.
During his tenure at Manchester United, De Gea made a remarkable 545 appearances, keeping 190 clean sheets. His time at the club was punctuated by numerous successes, including Premier League titles, FA Cups, a UEFA Europa League triumph, and two Carabao Cup victories.
In a heartfelt statement posted on his social media, De Gea expressed deep gratitude for the unwavering love and support he received from the Manchester United supporters over the past 12 years. He took immense pride in wearing the iconic Manchester United shirt and leading the team as a representative of this prestigious institution, often described as the biggest club in the world.
Reflecting on his incredible journey, he stated, “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.”
Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, acknowledged the exceptional quality and character required to make even a single appearance for the club. De Gea achieved this feat an astonishing 545 times over 12 years, a remarkable accomplishment, especially for a goalkeeper who constantly faces the spotlight.
Ten Hag highlighted De Gea’s remarkable achievements, including being voted as the player of the year by both fans and teammates on four occasions, underscoring his status as one of the finest goalkeepers in the club’s history.
The manager personally expressed his gratitude for De Gea’s contributions, particularly the 25 clean sheets he helped secure in the previous season during Ten Hag’s first year in charge. The entire team and staff extend their best wishes to De Gea as he embarks on the next phase of his illustrious career.
