David De Gea has announced that he will be leaving Manchester United this summer after spending 12 years at Old Trafford.
De Gea joined Man United from Atletico Madrid in 2011, making 545 appearances for the Red Devils.
The 32-year-old revealed that he is ready to take on a new challenge via an emotional message he shared on social media.
This brings an end to an illustrious era at Old Trafford after joining from Atletico Madrid back in 2011.
De Gea’s contract at United ended in June but United tried to reach a new deal with the goalkeeper which the club later back off from.
The Spaniard in an emotional message said: “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.”
“I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years.”
“I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honor only bestows 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 United are now poised to land Andre Onana from Inter Milan following De Gea’s announcement.
The Cameroon international has already reached a personal agreement with the Red Devils and they are expected to pay somewhere around £43 million to make Onana’s move to Old Trafford possible.
Following Saudi Arabia’s spending spree in the past few weeks, David de Gea has also been reportedly linked with Al-Nassr.
De Gea joined Manchester United as a teenager as far back as 2011 and replaced Edwin van der Sar.
The Spaniard won the Premier League title the following season with United under Sir Alex Ferguson.
David de Gea is leaving United with one Premier League, two Carabao Cups, three Community Shields, one FA Cup, and one Europa League championship under his belt.
David de Gea
David de Gea Quintana is a Spanish footballer who was born on 7 November, 1990 and last played as a goalkeeper for Manchester United.
The Spaniard is often regarded as one of the best goalkeepers of his generation due to his shot-stopping skill and reflexes.
The keeper rose through the academy system at the club before making his senior debut in 2009, aged 18.
David de Gea helped Atlético Madrid win the UEFA Europa League and the UEFA Super Cup in 2010 after he was made first-choice goalkeeper.
His performance subsequently attracted Manchester United’s interest and then he joined the club in June 2011 for £18.9 million, a British record for a goalkeeper at the time.
At Manchester United, De Gea made over 500 appearances and won a Premier League title, an FA Cup, two League Cups, three Community Shields, and the UEFA Europa League.
