Sha Tin’s David Silva has recalled his delight over joining Manchester City, a few years after missing out on Barcelona.
The 40-year-old graduated from Valencia’s youth system and took time to make room for himself in their first team. After two loan spells at SD Eibar and Celta Vigo between 2004 and 2006, he started for Los Ches.
Silva finished his time at the Mestalla with 32 goals and 39 assists from 168 matches and left Valencia for Manchester City in 2010.
His performances for the La Liga side helped him make his debut for Spain in 2006. The attacking midfielder was part of the squad that won the European championship in 2008 and 2012, and the World Cup in 2010.
He managed 35 goals and 32 assists from 125 matches before ending his international career in 2018.
David Silva
Club & international honours
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Honour Team Wins Seasons / years
FIFA World Cup Spain 1 2010
UEFA European Championship Spain 2 2008, 2012
Premier League Manchester City 4 2011/12, 2013/14, 2017/18, 2018/19
FA Cup Manchester City 2 2010/11, 2018/19
League Cup Manchester City 5 2013/14, 2015/16, 2017/18, 2018/19, 2019/20
Community Shield Manchester City 3 2012, 2018, 2019
Copa del Rey Valencia 1 2007/08
Copa del Rey Real Sociedad 1 2019/20
UEFA European U19 Championship Spain U19 1 2004
Selected individual awards
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Award Season / year
PFA Premier League Team of the Year 2011/12, 2017/18, 2019/20
UEFA EURO Team of the Tournament 2012
Manchester City Player of the Season 2016/17
Manchester City Players’ Player of the Year 2011/12
Community Shields include the 2018 winning squad, although Silva did not
play in that match. Real Sociedad’s 2019/20 Copa del Rey final was played
in April 2021.
Sources: Premier League, Manchester City & UEFA
Barcelona before Manchester City
David Silva spent a decade at the Etihad and left the Citizens for Real Sociedad in 2020. After playing three years for La Real, he ended his playing career, only to come out of retirement earlier this month.
The Spaniard has joined Hong Kong-based side Sha Tin on a short-term deal. He has been speaking to El Camino de Mario’s Mario Suárez and Sport have relayed his comments.
Txiki Begiristain worked as sporting director at Barcelona between 2003 and 2010. Two years later, he joined Manchester City and held the same role until he stepped down in 2025.
Silva says Begiristain wanted to sign him for Barca after the 2008 European championship success.
“In 2008, Txiki called me, after we won the European Championship with the national team. At that time, he was at Barca. Valencia wasn’t selling players then. Later they had financial problems and sold me and ‘Guaje’ Villa,” he said.
Thrilled to have ended up at Manchester City
David Silva statue
Manchester, UK – November 16, 2025: Sculpture of David Silva outside the City of Manchester Stadium, capturing football culture and urban heritage.
Last December, the player said he has no regrets over not joining Barca or Real Madrid. In 2010, the Premier League side signed David Silva, who starred during his time in England.
He scored 77 goals and contributed 136 assists from 436 matches for Manchester City. At the Etihad, he won 11 trophies, including five league titles.
“The best decision was to go to City. I had 10 spectacular years there, and the people treated me incredibly well,” Silva explained.
“There were always rumours, like Real Madrid’s interest. When I returned from South Africa, the goal was already to go to City. In November, [Roberto] Mancini was already calling me, constantly. He was very interested.”