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David Silva: Real Sociedad sign former Manchester City playmaker

Last updated on .From the section European Footballcomments247

David Silva high fives a Manchester City team-mate
David Silva (left) played his last game for Manchester City on Saturday

Former Manchester City playmaker David Silva has joined La Liga side Real Sociedad for two seasons.

The Spaniard's 10-year spell at City came to an end after Saturday's Champions League defeat by Lyon.

Signed from Valencia in 2010, the midfielder, 34, made 436 appearances and helped City win 14 trophies.

Italian side Lazio were reported to have offered former Spain international Silva a three-year contract.external-link but he joins Real Sociedad on a free transfer.

Sociedad finished sixth in La Liga and were in search of a new playmaker after Martin Odegaard returned to Real Madrid following a one-year loan spell.

Silva made 309 Premier League appearances, scoring 60 goals and playing an instrumental part in City's four title wins in 2012, 2014, 2018 and 2019.

In domestic cup competitions, he played 57 times and won two FA Cups, five League Cups and three Community Shields.

Silva holds the record for the most European appearances for City, having played 70 Champions League matches over the past decade.

He was also in the Spain squads that won the 2010 World Cup and the European Championship in 2008 and 2012.

The 2020-21 La Liga season begins on 12 September.

Find all the latest football transfers on our dedicated page.

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247 comments

  • Comment posted by Steve, at 08:42 18 Aug 2020

    @4
    125 caps for Spain in a generation including xavi, iniesta, alonso and Fabregas, when players like carzola don't even make the squad. Definitely not overrated and by far one of the most technically gifted players the premier league has seen and it will be worse without him. Top pro

  • Comment posted by AndyB_MOT, at 09:46 18 Aug 2020

    @64 "Did he win the Biggest Cup that all Players covet the most?"

    Yes, in 2010 with Spain.

  • Comment posted by whosdatdandare, at 08:30 18 Aug 2020

    Wish him nothing but the best.

  • Comment posted by Finkelstein, at 08:42 18 Aug 2020

    David Silva: Real Sociedad sign former Manchester City playmaker....

    A truly world class player and without any doubt a match winner and easy to manage. Sociedad have got a gem of a player. It has been a privilege to watch him play with his guile, cunning and swagger. Best of luck David.

  • Comment posted by GSib, at 08:41 18 Aug 2020

    @4 - wrong. There’s a reason why to a man pundits and peers laud him amongst the very best the PL has ever seen. There’s also a reason he earned 125 Spanish caps during their peak footballing period.

  • Comment posted by Simon, at 08:40 18 Aug 2020

    Thanks for the last 10 years David! You will be missed, but welcomed back at any time, in any capacity. All the best for the future

  • Comment posted by lillew , at 09:02 18 Aug 2020

    One of my favorite all time players, never less than 7 out of 10, great role model and Dream team regular.

    Liverpool fan

  • Comment posted by BozJohnnosSyrup, at 10:22 18 Aug 2020

    Poor show by the Liverpool fans on here.
    You've won the PL and the CL last year. Why not just enjoy the break until the start of the new season instead of spewing bile on the thread about a gentleman of a player.

    Oh I forgot, you've got no buses to bottle. Got to find something to pass the time.

  • Comment posted by MattSW, at 09:37 18 Aug 2020

    Not a City fan but Silva has been a joy to watch, plays the game the right way, no tantrums, controversy, or diving....just pure skill, you can tell he just loves playing the game. Good luck to him.

  • Comment posted by lillew , at 09:25 18 Aug 2020

    number 4 AJC.

    Overrated on my you clearly know nothing about football.

    I assure you this before KDB this guy was Man city player of the year every year.

    Silva had the highest pass completion rate of any midfielder in the Prem, Most assists by any midfileder in the Prem the ultimate team player

    All done without diving, screaming at the ref and off field tantrums

    Class footballer

  • Comment posted by Nick, at 10:19 18 Aug 2020

    Turned down more money to return to Spain rather than stay in England or heading to Italy.

    Some things clearly more important.

    I'm not a City fan but this is a class player on and off the pitch and an instrumental part of major success for the club.

    Success as a Villa fan I can only dream of at the moment!! 😁

  • Comment posted by AWSOP, at 09:38 18 Aug 2020

    Everything that English football hasn't been able to produce. An outstandingly clever, intelligent footballer with impeccable off field behaviour. He would have been kicked out of our game at age 11. What a superb example for kids.

  • Comment posted by Freespeechplease, at 08:48 18 Aug 2020

    Probably the best creative midfielder the Premier league has had.

  • Comment posted by Tonic, at 09:23 18 Aug 2020

    As a Liverpool fan I have to admit Silva is a class act on and off the pitch. Putting rivalry aside an excellent player he will be missed.

  • Comment posted by David Windsor, at 08:41 18 Aug 2020

    Hope it works out well for him- he deserves it. Nice to see he didn't take the mercenary route of a longer contract elsewhere in favour of joining the club he wanted. Nice place to live too.

  • Comment posted by tom, at 08:30 18 Aug 2020

    Fantastic free transfer

  • Comment posted by hamilio, at 10:49 18 Aug 2020

    as a lifelong Liverpool fan who has seen many great players, David Silva is right up there as a graceful magician who could unlock many defences, It was a pleasure to watch him and I wish him and his family all the best in their new ventures.

  • Comment posted by Keith, at 09:19 18 Aug 2020

    Thanks for the memories David, go enjoy yourself, what a player and person he is

  • Comment posted by MikeO, at 10:34 18 Aug 2020

    Silva
    What a player. I am not a City fan but have loved watching him play over the last decade. An absolute legend of the Premier League on and off the pitch

  • Comment posted by chapper1, at 11:28 18 Aug 2020

    True professional.........delivered on the pitch for a decade; humble, exemplary attitude and genial talent that all youngsters should aspire to emulate......

    Very low profile off of it...apart from the barnet transformation!!

    Wish there were a lot more like him.

    Many thanks David and good luck - what a coup for Sociedad

    A Liverpool fan

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