David De Gea has announced he is leaving Manchester United, ending his 12-year stay at the club.
De Gea arrived from Atletico Madrid in 2011 and went on to set two club records for Man Utd goalkeepers, playing 545 matches in all competitions and keeping 190 clean sheets.
He won the Premier League title in 2012/13, plus the FA Cup, UEFA Europa League and two Carabao Cups.
The Spaniard claimed the Premier League Golden Glove award in 2017/18 and 2022/23, and was named the competition’s Player of the Month in January 2022, becoming the first goalkeeper to win the prize for almost six years.
See: De Gea wins 2022/23 Golden Glove
De Gea won the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times, as voted for by Man Utd fans, which was another club record.
I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.
— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 8, 2023
I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. I took incredible… pic.twitter.com/6R7ezOEf1E
"I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years," said De Gea.
“We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club. 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 honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.
“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.”
Man Utd manager Erik ten Hag told the club's official website: “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.”
