Fiorentina star David de Gea has now broken his silence on why he decided to take an extended period out of football after his time at Manchester United ended.
David de Gea had spent 12 seasons at Old Trafford and had been a key, longstanding Manchester United first-team player in the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era.
The 35-year-old Spaniard was allowed to leave United during the reign of Erik ten Hag at Old Trafford after his contract with the Red Devils expired in 2023.
De Gea won the Premier League Golden Glove for the second time in his Man Utd spell during the 2022-23 campaign ahead of his 13-month sabbatical from football.
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David de Gea during the warm-up before the Serie A match between Udinese and Fiorentina at Stadio Friuli in 2026 in Udine, Italy.
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David de Gea was reportedly willing to take a pay cut at the time of his exit from Old Trafford to remain under former Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag.
However, the Red Devils opted against handing the former Spain international a new contract and United legend De Gea entered a subsequent football sabbatical period.
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De Gea missed the entirety of the 2023-24 football season and the Spanish shot-stopper often shared training clips amid speculation over his future at the time.
Speaking to La Gazzetta dello Sport, Fiorentina player De Gea insisted that his period on the sidelines after his Man Utd spell was a much-needed “break” from football.
“It was an easy decision,” he said.
“After 12 years at United, I needed a break, so I took a year off to dedicate to my family and friends: it was the best year of my life.
“But I continued to train with a coach, Craig, who was very supportive and did a great job with me. I was sure I could compete at a high level again.”
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De Gea was part of the last Man Utd team to win the Premier League title under iconic former Red Devils manager Sir Alex Ferguson at Old Trafford in 2013.
The former Atletico Madrid player also lifted a Europa League trophy, an FA Cup and two League Cups with United before he became a free agent in 2023.
Following his 13-month football sabbatical, United legend De Gea signed for Serie A side Fiorentina as a free agent ahead of the 2024-25 campaign in Italian football.
“When Fiorentina called me, I was ready,” he added.
“The first time I walked into Rocco B. Commisso Viola Park, I was speechless: there aren’t many facilities like it in Europe.”
De Gea, who was signed by United for £18.9m from Atletico Madrid in 2011, made a whopping 545 appearances for the Red Devils in his prolific 12-year playing spell.
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