Man City & Premier League legend announces retirement from football at 37

Former Manchester City midfielder David Silva has announced he is set to retire from professional football.

It was reported earlier this week that the 37-year-old was set to call time on his playing days after suffering a long-term ACL injury, and in a video shared on Thursday afternoon, Silva confirmed his retirement.

“Today is a sad day for me,” the Spaniard said on the video. "Today it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like family to me. I will miss you very much.”

Silva went on to thank all five clubs he represented in his distinguished career, as well as the Spanish national team. “Thank you because you have made me feel at home,” he added.

Silva began his career at Valencia and, after coming through the youth ranks, made 168 senior appearances for the club and won the Copa del Rey in 2008. During his early career at Valencia, the ex-midfielder also represented Eibar and Celta Vigo on loan.

But Silva will always be most associated with City, and he spent a decade at the Etihad following his 2010 transfer, winning four Premier League titles, the FA Cup twice and picking up the EFL Cup on five occasions. Nicknamed ‘Merlin’ or ‘El Mago’, it was Silva’s technical ability, eye for a pass and composure under pressure that set him apart, and he is remembered today as one of the club’s greatest-ever players.

In 2021, City unveiled a statue of Silva outside the Etihad, in recognition of his achievements at the club, where he won the club’s Player of the Season award in 2016/17 and was selected in the PFA Team of the Year three times.

In a statement City said: "Everyone at Manchester City would like to wish David all the best in his retirement and to thank him once more for the incredible contribution he made to our football club during his ten years here. "

Silva joined Real Sociedad in 2021 and had one last outing in Manchester last year, when he played in a 1-0 win over Manchester United at Old Trafford. He made 93 appearances for the club and won a second Copa del Rey of his career at Sociedad, 13 years after his first triumph.

Silva also shone on the international stage and was part of a golden generation of Spanish players who won three consecutive tournaments: the 2008 and 2012 European Championships, sandwiched either sides of the 2010 World Cup victory. Silva earned an incredible 125 caps for Spain and scored 35 goals.