MANCHESTER, England (AP) – Manchester City great Bernardo Silva will leave the club at the end of the season.
The Portugal international is one of the most decorated players in City’s history, winning 15 major trophies, including six Premier Leagues and the Champions League.
“What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart,” Bernardo wrote in a letter to City fans on Thursday.
The 31-year-old midfielder joined from Monaco in 2017. He played in 451 games over nine years and served as team captain this season. He won the English League Cup at Wembley Stadium last month and could also win the Premier League and FA Cup next month.
He would be among the club’s great players of recent times, such as Vincent Kompany, Yaya Toure, David Silva, Sergio Aguero and Kevin De Bruyne.
“In short, he will rightly be remembered as one of City’s greatest ever players and one of its most popular,” City said.
Bernardo confirmed his resignation in a post on his Instagram account.
“When I came here nine years ago, I was chasing a boy’s dream to succeed in life and achieve great things. This city and this club have given me all that and more, much more than I ever wanted,” he said.
City said they would give “a fitting tribute and farewell to a great servant” at the end of the season.
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