David De Gea, Spain international goalkeeper announces Old Trafford exit, “It’s the right time to undertake a new challenge.”
The 32-year-old’s deal with the Old Trafford team expired at the end of June, making him a free agent.
12 years into his tenure at United, De Gea has set club records for a goalkeeper with 545 games and 190 clean sheets.
BREAKING: David De Gea leaves Man Utd
He posted on social media, saying, “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.”
De Gea began his career at Atletico Madrid before moving to United in 2011 for a fee of £18.9 million.
When United manager Erik ten Hag’s team made the announcement of his resignation, they were close to signing Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.
De Gea continued, “I want to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation for the love you have shown me over the past 12 years. Since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson welcomed me to this club, we’ve accomplished a lot.
“I took enormous satisfaction every time I put this shirt on; to lead the squad, to represent this team, the largest club in the world, was an honor bestowed only upon a select group of fortunate footballers.
Since I’ve been here, it’s been an incredible and fruitful time. I never imagined we would accomplish what we did as a team after leaving Madrid when I was a young lad.
“Now is the ideal time to take on a fresh task and push myself once more in unfamiliar circumstances.
“Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. Manchester will always be in my heart.”
It is known that the initial terms of a contract extension between United and De Gea were later modified.
This caused both parties to take a step back and consider the situation and the result.
While playing for United, De Gea won the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Europa League, and two Carabao Cups. He has been linked with a move to the Saudi Pro League.
He has won United Player of the Year four times, and last season, he won the Golden Glove for a second time because of his 17 clean sheets.
He will always be recognized as one of the best goalkeepers in club history, according to Ten Hag. “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,” added Ten Hag.