David de Gea confirms Man Utd exit after 12 years

Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea has announced that he will leave Manchester United this summer after 12 years at the club.

The Spanish goalkeeper, who won the Premier League Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets last season, was criticised for several high-profile errors in the final weeks of the season.

His contract with United expired at the end of June, and despite negotiations throughout the season, no new agreement was reached.

United has been connected to Inter Milan custodian Andre Onana.

In a message on social media, De Gea, 32, thanked United fans for their support, but said: “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.”

I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.

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

— David de Gea (@D_DeGea) July 8, 2023

When De Gea’s contract expired last Friday, United remained in negotiations with the Spanish national custodian, they said.

Following reports that De Gea had signed a contract extension, the club retracted the offer and returned with reduced terms.

De Gea wrote: “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 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 bestowed upon a few lucky footballers.”

In a statement, United manager Erik ten Hag thanked De Gea for his service to the club.

“It takes great quality and character to reach the level of even playing one game for Manchester United,” he said.

“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.”