David de Gea says goodbye! Goalkeeper confirms end to 12-year Manchester United stay in emotional message to fans

David de Gea bids an emotional farewell to Manchester United and their fans after 12 seasons at the club.

• Club and keeper announce parting
• De Gea says time for ‘new challenge’
• Club laud ‘one of the greatest goalkeepers in club history’

De Gea and United have officially announced their separation. After 12 years, more than 500 games, and being voted the club’s player of the year four times, the Spaniard is leaving Old Trafford. Both the player and the club expressed their mutual appreciation in their respective messages.

The Spaniard expressed his gratitude and appreciation for the love he received over the past 12 years. He mentioned the achievements made since Sir Alex Ferguson brought him to the club and how proud he felt every time he wore the club’s shirt.

Since I arrived here, it has been an incredible and fruitful period. I never expected that as a young boy leaving Madrid, we would accomplish everything 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. 🤘🏼❤️”

AND WHAT’S MORE: Shortly after, United’s official site paid tribute to “one of the greatest goalkeepers in the history of the club.”

Manager Erik ten Hag added: “It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United. To do it 545 times over 12 years is a special achievement, particularly in the goalkeeping position where every game puts you in the spotlight.

“To have won Player of the Year awards from both the fans and his team-mates, each on four occasions, shows the level of his performance and he will always be remembered as one of the very best goalkeepers in the history of the club.”

A parting of the ways seemed inevitable after De Gea’s contract expired with little prospect of a renewal. United appeared unwilling to offer anything in the region of the goalkeeper’s previous contract, leading both parties to feel it was time to move on.