Manchester United goalkeeper, David de Gea has declared the city of Manchester as his home ahead of the UEFA Champions League round 16 clash with his boyhood club, Atletico Madrid.
Atletico Madrid is not just a former club of David de Gea, the 31-year-old Spanish goalkeeper who has been at Manchester United for over 10 years started his football career at the club when he was a kid.
Hence, on February 23, 2022, at 21:00, David de Gea’s loyalty to Manchester United and professionalism will be tested when he stands in between the sticks in his city of birth and against his boyhood club.
Ahead of the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match, the Spanish goalkeeper insisted that he does not see himself playing for any other club than Manchester United even though his current contract with the club will expire on June 30, 2023.
Recall that De Gea left Atletico Madrid for Manchester United on July 1, 2009, for a transfer fee worth €25 million. Since then, he has been a very important member of the red devils.
In the last 10 years, the Spanish goalkeeper has been able to make 473 appearances in which he conceded 504 goals and kept 163 clean sheets for United.
Before he left Atletico Madrid in 2009, the Spanish goalkeeper made 84 appearances in which he conceded 112 goals and kept 23 clean sheets.
This time around, David de Gea would face Atletico Madrid, not as a fan or a member of the Atletico’s squad, he is going into the game as an opponent that would want United to conquer his boyhood club.
Ahead of the game, De Gea said: “I like the fact I was born in Madrid, but at the end of the day, it’s just a city.
“Now I feel as if I’m from Manchester; I just feel like anyone else from Manchester. Where you are loved and welcomed in your home.
“I’ve been here for many years and, obviously, anything can happen in life, in the world of football, but honestly I don’t see myself away from Manchester United.
“Of course, I’m going back home [for this tie], I’m going back to the club that allowed me to be who I am today.
“But this is just another match. Everyone wants to play well, we want to win, it is a Champions League match.
“Obviously, I wish Atletico all the best, but I don’t know whether the fact we’re playing them is a good or bad omen. Everyone is going there to win, especially me.”
What is the contract between David de Gea contract with Manchester United?
As mentioned earlier, David de Gea joined Manchester United from Atletico Madrid in 2009. Since then, he has been a consistent member of the Premier League side.
The latest contract renewal De Gea signed with Manchester United was in 2019. Then, the Red Devils extended the stay of the goalkeeper until June 30, 2023.
Based on the 2019 deal with Manchester United, De Gea earns nothing less than £19,500,000 every year at Old Trafford. His weekly take-home is about £375,000-per-week.
The net worth of De Gea is said to be nothing less than $75 million.
De Gea is married to Spanish singer Edurne. The couple gave birth to their first child, a daughter, on March 4, 2021. Her name is Yanay.
