Manchester City legend David Silva has announced that his playing career is over.
Silva left City in 2020 following 10 magnificent seasons with the Premier League club.
The 37-year-old is widely regarded as one of the greatest playmakers ever to feature in the EPL.
He scored 60 goals and provided 93 assists in 309 league appearances for City, winning four EPL titles during his time in England.
City unveiled a statue of Silva outside the Etihad Stadium in August 2021.
Silva scored 25 goals in 125 matches for Spain during an international career in which he won two European Championships and one World Cup.
He began his club career in Spain with Valencia and ended it playing for Real Sociedad.
Silva had been hoping to play for Real Sociedad during the upcoming 2023/24 campaign but he suffered a serious knee injury during the club's pre-season preparations.
Speaking in a video that he posted to social media on Thursday, Silva said: "Today is a sad day for me.
"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 a family to me. I will miss you very much."
City paid tribute to Silva's career on the club's official website.
An article containing more than 6,000 words from various club journalists was published to celebrate Silva's "ten years of magic" in Manchester.
A much shorter club statement also read: "David Silva has announced his retirement from football after suffering a knee injury.
"The 37-year-old damaged his anterior cruciate ligament during pre-season training with his current La Liga club Real Sociedad.
"He has now decided to call time on a wonderful career for both Club and country and will be remembered as one of the greatest players in City's history.
"Silva joined City in 2010 and spent 10 years at the Etihad Stadium helping us to a decade of success.
"The Spaniard won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and five League Cups during his time in Manchester.
"In total, he made 436 appearances for City, putting him 10th in the Club's all-time list while his 70 European appearances is only behind long-time team-mate Fernandinho who played two games more.
"He scored 76 times including the opener in the 2019 FA Cup final at Wembley when we beat Watford 6-0.
"With 121 assists in all competitions, only Kevin De Bruyne has more for City while the 93 in the Premier League is the seventh most in the history of the competition.
"Silva was hugely successful with Spain, making 125 appearances, winning the World Cup in 2010 and the European Championships in 2008 and 2012.
"He left City for Sociedad in 2020 and sadly his final match was behind closed doors during the Covid-19 pandemic meaning the fans were unable to say a heartfelt goodbye to their hero.
"But the Club celebrated his legendary contribution by building a statue outside the Etihad – along with Sergio Aguero and Vincent Kompany.
"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."
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