David Silva - the iconic and legendary former Manchester City and Spain midfielder - has come out of retirement to sign a new playing contract in Hong Kong, it has been announced.
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David Silva retired from his professional playing career back in 2023 after suffering an anterior cruciate ligament tear during pre-season training at La Liga side Real Sociedad - whom he joined upon leaving Manchester City in 2020.
Among his multitude of honours won at Manchester City, including four Premier League titles and five League Cups, won the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships with Spain.
Across a stellar playing career in English football in particular, David Silva won a total of 11 major honours in 10 years at Manchester City, and now has a statue outside the Etihad Stadium in recognition of his work across 436 appearances.
But despite being out of the game for the last three years, Silva's career has not quite ended just yet, with the iconic playmaker now coming out of retirement to start a new adventure in Asia.
David Silva ends retirement to join new club
It has been announced this week that the legendary former Manchester City midfielder has come out of retirement at the age of 40-years-old to join Hong Kong Premier League club Sha Tin.
In a video uploaded to Instagram accompanying the announcement, the former Spain international said, "I'm so excited to go to Hong Kong and enjoy the local culture, the food in Sha Tin and, of course, football in Hong Kong."
Sha Tin themselves said, "David Silva will be in Hong Kong soon to settle in, link up with squad training, and build up to peak match fitness before making his pitch debut."
David Silva's new club are currently eighth in the BOC Life Hong Kong Premier League after four matches, and next play against Hong Kong Football Club on Sunday, 18 October.
Closing a legendary and illustrious playing career
Sha Tin in Hong Kong will become David Silva's sixth club since his professional senior career began with Spanish giants Valencia in 2004, before spending two seasons on loan at Eibar and Celta Vigo.
Off the back of his World Cup success in South Africa with Spain, Silva then completed his switch to Manchester City in 2010 on a four-year contract. The widespread belief is that City held an interest in Silva and his then-Valencia teammate in 2008, but were put off by the Spanish club's £135 million price tag for a double deal.
Since leaving City, David Silva spent three seasons at Real Sociedad until his seemingly career-ending injury, while the opportunity in Hong Kong marks one final opportunity to star in the game.