San Sebastian (Spain): Spanish midfielder David Silva has agreed a two-year contract with Real Sociedad following his departure from Manchester City, the La Liga club announced on Monday.
The 34-year-old spent a decade with City and made his final appearance as a substitute in Saturday’s 3-1 defeat by Lyon in the Champions League quarterfinals.
“He is a transformational player; a quiet leader who has acted quietly and deliberately and inspired everyone around him, from the youngest academy player to his senior team-mates over the past ten years.
“He has put a stamp on the team, on this Club, its history and even the Premier League as a whole. In doing so he has been instrumental to the beautiful football philosophy you see today. He was the start of it,” said Manchester City Chairman, Khaldoon Al Mubarak.
He is expected to join his new Sociedad team-mates in the coming days for pre-season training.
The 2020/21 La Liga campaign is scheduled to begin on September 12. Sociedad finished sixth last season to qualify for the Europa League.
Silva won 11 domestic trophies in his time in Manchester and is widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest imports.
Meanwhile, City said a statue will be erected next year in his honour, while a pitch at the club’s training ground will also be named after him.
Silva was informed of the decision by chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak in a private conversation after his final Premier League appearance against Norwich last month.
A training pitch with bespoke mosaic will also be dedicated to the Spanish midfielder at the City Football Academy.
Having last year announced a similar plan to celebrate the contribution made by Vincent Kompany, the Club will unveil Silva’s lasting tribute following that of the former Belgian captain. Both sculptures will be unveiled in 2021.
