De Gea leaves Man Utd after 12 years

Goalkeeper David de Gea announced his departure from Man Utd after his contract expired after 12 years.

De Gea posted a farewell letter to Man Utd fans on social media on July 8. "I express my gratitude and appreciation for the love over the past 12 years," the 33-year-old goalkeeper wrote. "We have won many titles since the respected coach Alex Ferguson brought me here. I am always proud to wear the shirt of the strongest club in the world . This honor is only given to very few players."

David de Gea after Man Utd's match against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on May 20, 2023. Photo: Reuters — David de Gea after Man Utd's match against Bournemouth at Vitality Stadium in the Premier League on May 20, 2023. Photo: *Reuters*

De Gea joined Man Utd in the summer of 2011 for $24 million, after two seasons of success at Atletico Madrid. He won seven titles with Man Utd, including the 2013 Premier League and the 2017 Europa League. The Spanish goalkeeper was named to the Premier League Team of the Year five times and won the Golden Glove twice, but his form declined from the 2018-2019 season. He ended his 12-year career at Man Utd with 545 matches, the seventh most in the club's history.

"I have had an incredibly successful time at Manchester United, which I did not think I would have achieved when I left Madrid as a young boy," he added. "It is time for me to seek a new challenge. Manchester is in my heart, it has shaped me and will never leave me. We have seen it all there."

Last season, De Gea played all 38 Premier League matches but made serious mistakes in key matches such as the Europa League quarter-finals and the FA Cup final. Initially, Man Utd agreed to keep him at a lower salary than his current one. However, after the above mistakes, coach Erik ten Hag changed his mind and did not renew De Gea's contract. The 33-year-old goalkeeper will be free to choose a new team after his contract with Man Utd expires.

Man Utd's homepage also announced De Gea's departure, along with words of gratitude from Ten Hag and director of football John Murtough. Ten Hag said: "I am very grateful for the 25 clean sheets De Gea kept, and his overall contributions in my first season here. De Gea will be remembered as the best goalkeeper in the club's history."

11 saves from de Gea — De Gea's 11 saves in the match against Tottenham on January 13, 2019.

Man Utd are also close to agreeing a deal to sign goalkeeper Andre Onana from Inter for a transfer fee of around $60 million. The Cameroonian goalkeeper worked with coach Erik ten Hag for five years at Ajax, and will reunite with him at Old Trafford.

Man Utd also have no intention of keeping goalkeeper Dean Henderson, and are preparing to sell him to Nottingham Forest. They want to buy another backup goalkeeper, most likely 21-year-old Japanese goalkeeper Zion Suzuki from Urawa Reds, Japan.

Hoang An

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