David de Gea, the Spanish goalkeeper, has announced his departure from Manchester United this summer, stating that it is the right time for him to undertake a new challenge. After 12 years at the club, the 32-year-old became a free agent when his contract expired at the end of June. De Gea holds the records for the most appearances (545) and clean sheets (190) by a goalkeeper in the history of the club.
In a social media post, De Gea expressed his gratitude to the Manchester United supporters, saying, “I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.” He began his career at Atletico Madrid but joined United in 2011 for a fee of £18.9 million.
The announcement of De Gea’s departure coincides with Manchester United’s manager, Erik ten Hag, being hopeful of finalizing a deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana. It is reported that United had initially agreed to a contract extension with De Gea, but the terms were subsequently changed, leading both parties to reflect on the situation and reach this outcome.
De Gea stated, “I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.” He further mentioned that it was an honor to represent the biggest club in the world and that Manchester would always hold a special place in his heart.
During his time at Manchester United, De Gea won several trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup, UEFA Europa League, and two Carabao Cups. He also received the Premier League Golden Glove for a second time last season, keeping 17 clean sheets. De Gea is regarded as one of the best goalkeepers in the history of the club and has been named United’s Player of the Year on four occasions.
While De Gea’s departure does not guarantee the imminent signing of Andre Onana, discussions between United and the Cameroonian goalkeeper have been positive, and the club remains hopeful of reaching a resolution. However, negotiations with De Gea lasted for several months, and United maintains that no formal contract offer was made to him.
With De Gea’s departure, United’s experienced goalkeeping options now consist of Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton, with the latter expected to start in the team’s opening pre-season game against Leeds in Oslo. As United continues to shape their squad for the upcoming season, the pursuit of a central striker remains a priority for manager Erik ten Hag.
