Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva confirms summer departure

Manchester City's Bernardo Silva joined the Sky Blues in 2017. Photo by Adam Vaughan/EPA

April 16 (UPI) -- Longtime Manchester City midfielder Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer, he announced Thursday on social media.

Silva's future was a subject of speculation throughout the 2025-26 season, the final year of his contract with the Sky Blues. The Portuguese soccer sensation joined the Premier League club in 2017.

He totaled 76 goals and 77 assists over 451 appearances for the Sky Blues

"Cityzens, 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," Silva wrote on X and Instagram.

"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 be forever cherished in my heart. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the treble, the four in a row much more ... it wasn't all that bad.

"In a few months, it's time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and family. From the bottom of my heart, Ines and Carlota, thank you!"

Silva also thanked the fans, Pep Guardiola and the coaching staff and teammates.

"To the fans, your unconditional support throughout the years is something I will never forget," Silva wrote. "My main goal as a player was to always play with passion so you guys could feel proud and well represented on the pitch. I hope you felt that every single game. I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life.

"Keep supporting this young team, and I'm pretty sure they'll bring you a lot of new fantastic memories in the future."

Silva, 31, won 19 major trophies with the Sky Blues, including six Premier League crowns, two FA Cup titles and a Champions League title. He totaled two goals and four assists through 31 Premier League appearances this season.