David de Gea confirms Manchester United exit and sends emotional message to fans

David de Gea has confirmed that he will not be extending his stay at Manchester United following his contract expiry last week.

The Spaniard’s deal at Old Trafford ran out at the end of last month, however, the club were planning to meet face-to-face with the goalkeeper after his wedding last weekend to negotiate further.

However, the end result is an exit for the club’s longest-serving player and the last within the squad to win the Premier League with Sir Alex Ferguson in 2012/13.

After several cryptic messages in recent weeks, De Gea has now confirmed his departure from the club that he has spent 12 years with and expressed his ‘unwavering gratitude’ for his time in Manchester.

“I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” tweeted De Gea.

“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. I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.

“It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together.

“Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.

“Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me.

“We’ve seen it all.”

United will be looking to replace the goalkeeper with Inter Milan shot-stopper Andre Onana, who could be signing for the club in the coming days.

He has been looking for housing in Manchester, according to La Gazzette dello Sport, as the two clubs finalise an agreement following two rejected bids in recent days.