Bernardo Silva has confirmed that he will be leaving Manchester City this summer.
The Portuguese midfielder’s contract expires in June, and he has decided to depart after nine successful years at the Etihad Stadium.
While Silva hasn’t disclosed his next destination yet, he has been rumored to be considering a return to his childhood club Benfica, along with potential moves to Spain, Saudi Arabia, or Major League Soccer.
The 31-year-old made his announcement via an Instagram post on Thursday.
In the post, he expressed: “Cityzens, when I arrived nine years ago, I was chasing the dream of a young boy, aspiring to achieve great things in life.
“This city and this club have given me much more than I ever anticipated. The victories and achievements we shared together will always hold a special place in my heart.”
He continued, “In just a few months, it’ll be time to say goodbye to the city where we accomplished so much as a football team and where I began my marriage and family.
“To the fans, I’ll always cherish your unwavering support over the years. I arrived as a Man City player, and I will leave as one of you—a lifelong Man City supporter.”
“To the club, Pep, the staff, and my fellow teammates over these nine years, thank you for all the unforgettable memories and for allowing me to be part of this extraordinary journey for so long.
“Let’s make the most of these last few weeks together and aim for glory in what this season has left to offer.”