After leaving Manchester City on the expiration of his contract, David Silva has now joined Spanish side Real Sociedad as he writes the next chapter of his footballing adventure. The Spaniard enjoyed a trophy-laden spell in Manchester where he won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five EFL Cups.
His exit from the Etihad came after Manchester City crashed out to Lyon in the quarter-final of the Champions League where he made his farewell appearance. Silva initially looked set for a move to Lazio but a twist in the tail has seen him return back to his home country where he joined Manchester City from.
He currently holds the record for most Premier League games played for the Citizens with 309 which is almost 50 clear of Sergio Aguero in second as well as the record for most Premier League assistance for the English side. In a tribute to his excellent service over the years, City has announced that a statue of him will be built outside the Etihad alongside that of Vincent Kompany who officially called it quit on playing football and has now ventured into full-time management. Both statues are to be unveiled next year.
The Spaniard penned a heartfelt letter to the Manchester City faithful after his departure. “The time has arrived. Ten years and 13 titles later, it’s time for me to say goodbye to the club that has left an indelible mark on my life and career,” Silva wrote on his Twitter earlier on Monday.”I look back and it’s clear I could not have made a better decision than to accept City’s proposal to join their project back in 2010. Manchester City and I have grown together. In 10 years, I have developed personally and professionally.
I have celebrated many victories and titles and lived through epic moments. I have seen my lovely child, Mateo, born and I have even started to feel comfortable under heavy rain!”City are a fantastic family. I won’t ever forget the way they threw themselves into helping me when I suffered the hardest moments of my life, offering me support and empathy.
Precisely because of that I want to tell you it has been a real pleasure wearing the sky blue shirt and the captain’s armband of our club, sharing the dressing room with the best players and coaches in the world, and working closely with the finest club representatives and board members the game has to offer. And on top of that, all the time I had the backing of the amazing fans who have supported me always, through good and bad moments. You are really amazing I hope that City will achieve even bigger triumphs in the future.
I am going to support the team from a distance. I am so happy I have shared these unforgettable moments with the City family – you will always be in my heart. I want to send every Cityzen a huge hug.” Filling the shoes that Silva left behind will be a big ask for whoever is charged with that task but Phil Foden has begun to show that he could be a perfect long-term replacement for El Mago.
