Leaves on a Free After New Contract Offer Withdrawn
Spanish goalkeeper, David De Gea has on Saturday confirmed his much speculated exit from the team with a post on Twitter thanking the fans, and insisting he was seeking a new challenge. He will be leaving on a free as a new contract was not extended to him following the expiration of his old contract in June 2023.
In the post, De Gea recalled his coming to the club 12 years ago under the tutelage of the legendary manager, Sir Alex Ferguson.
De Gea was one the highest earners at Manchester United with weekly wages of £375,000. That is an amazing amount for a goalkeeper. He was negotiating a new contract with reduced wages before the club pulled the plug on talks and withdrew the contract on offer.
The 32 year old goal stopper had suffered series of goalkeeping howlers which led team bosses to start thinking he was past his prime and to look for potential replacements.
Inter Milan’s goalkeeper, Andre Onana is now the focus for Manchester United for the new season. Inter Milan had earlier rejected two offers made by Manchester United and a third offer over £50m is expected to seal the deal.
Manchester United coach, Erik Ten Haag praised De Gea for his decision and wished him well in a post on the official Manchester United Website.
This is the post from De Gea’s Twitter page:
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 pride everytime 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.
It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what 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. 🤘🏼❤️
