Manchester City confirm Bernardo Silva’s summer exit after a glorious nine-year spell that yielded 19 major trophies, including the Treble.
LONDON: Manchester City have confirmed Bernardo Silva will leave the club at the end of the season. The Portuguese midfielder’s departure concludes a hugely successful nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium.
Silva, 31, joined from Monaco for £43 million in 2017 and has made 451 appearances. His tenure has brought an extraordinary haul of 19 major trophies to date.
This includes six Premier League titles and the historic Champions League triumph as part of the Treble-winning campaign. He also won two FA Cups, five League Cups, the Club World Cup and the European Super Cup.
A club statement said his contribution to City’s “greatest sustained period of success is incalculable”. It added that he will be “deservedly remembered as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time”.
Silva wrote an emotional farewell to fans on his Instagram account. “This city and this club gave me much more than I ever hoped for,” he said.
“What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart.” He listed achievements including the Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble and the Four In A Row.
The playmaker also expressed his lasting connection to the club and its supporters. “I arrived as a Man City player; I leave as one of you — a Man City supporter for life,” Silva wrote.
He will now focus on helping City chase more silverware in the final weeks of the season. Pep Guardiola’s side remain in contention for both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.