According to a report by Italian media outlet Corriere dello Sport, Man City legend David Silva is ‘very close’ to agreeing a three-year deal with Serie A giants Lazio worth €3-4 million-per-season upon the expiry of his contract which runs out on August 24 – putting an end to his decade-long stay at the Etihad.
Silva, who signed from Valencia in the summer of 2010 in a £24 million transfer, bid an emotional farewell to the club following his final ever home game at Eastlands during our 2-1 victory over Real Madrid.
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Now, this report claims that the Spaniard will link up with Lazio after his contract with the Sky Blues runs out at the end of this month, with City still competing on the European front.
A true club legend, Silva has played 435 times in all competitions, scoring 77 goals in that time and assisting an impressive 140 times as per Transfermarkt – numbers that could still increase depending on our run in the Champions League.
Silva’s shining legacy…
The 34-year-old has enjoyed no shortage of fine moments for our club, making the £24m fee to secure his services look like an overall bargain.
A consistently ticking cog in the City machine, Silva established himself as a key part of the Sky Blues midfield under three different managers – helping us to win four Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups and three Community Shields.
From his iconic solo goal against Blackpool to the sublime piece of skill against Wigan, both etched in memory during the dawn of his City career, the midfielder was also a crucial part of our 2018 Centurions side – scoring in the 3-0 Carabao Cup final victory over Arsenal whilst totalling 11 assists in the league.
What the pundits have said…
After bagging our second goal during a 2-0 away win to Crystal Palace back in October 2019, Match of the Day pundit and Premier League legend Alan Shearer heaped praise on Silva – calling him ‘absolutely magnificent’.
“He cost £24m and he’s played nearly ten year,” Shearer told MOTD via the Manchester Evening News.
“He is just an incredible player. He didn’t touch the ball (for the first goal) but his run opens up the space for Jesus to score that goal. It was clever and intelligent play.
“He is just absolutely magnificent. He starts the second goal. He’s got the drive, desire, hunger and attitude.
“What a performance, what a player and what a career. Of course Man City will miss him next year and the Premier League will as well.”
Goodbye David…
It’s fair to say that Shearer couldn’t be more correct in his verdict, and many City supporters will be sad to see him close the curtain on a fantastic career in Manchester.