Bernardo Silva has officially confirmed he will depart Manchester City at the end of the current season, drawing the curtain on a nine-year stay at the Etihad Stadium that produced fifteen major trophies and cemented his place among the most decorated players in the club's history.
The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder announced his departure through a heartfelt social media message on Friday, one day after the club released an official statement confirming the news.
Silva joined City from Monaco in 2017 and was handed the captain's armband last summer following Kevin De Bruyne's departure. He will leave on a free transfer when his contract expires, meaning City will receive no fee.
Silva's farewell to the fans
Silva highlighted the personal significance of his time in Manchester, where he began both his marriage and his family.
Bernardo Silva, Manchester City player, said:
"When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things. This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart."
Erling Haaland was among the first to pay tribute, describing Silva as the finest football mind he has encountered. Silva departs with 45 goals and 50 assists across 297 Premier League appearances for City, ranking seventh in the club's all-time top-flight goal involvement charts. Juventus, Napoli, Barcelona and his boyhood club Benfica have all been linked with a move for the midfielder, though no destination has been publicly confirmed.
