David de Gea has explained why it was “impossible” for him to accept Premier League offers on the back of leaving Manchester United in 2023.

• Released by Red Devils as a free agent
• Spent a year mulling over his options
• Enjoying new challenge with Fiorentina

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  WHAT HAPPENED?

  After 12 years at Old Trafford, during which he made 545 appearances and became a four-time Player of the Year, Spain international De Gea was surprisingly released by the Red Devils as a free agent when his contract expired.

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  THE BIGGER PICTURE

  Questions have been asked of that decision on a regular basis as De Gea’s successor in Manchester, Cameroon international Andre Onana, has found the going tough in English football – with a number of costly errors being made across his two seasons as No.1.

• DID YOU KNOW?

  De Gea opted to enjoy a 12-month sabbatical after severing ties with United, eventually signing for Serie A side Fiorentina in 2024, with the 34-year-old snubbing several approaches from England before heading to Italy.

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  WHAT DE GEA SAID

  De Gea has told : “I turned down offers from England because after spending so many years at a club like United, you feel like you don't want to play for another club in England.

  “I only wanted Manchester United, and while it's true that I received offers from England, I knew it would be impossible for me to play anywhere else. I've spent my whole life there; it's the club that shaped me and allowed me to have a wonderful career.

  “I felt it was time to rest and come back even stronger. People asked me, 'When are you coming back?' I reassured everyone, 'I'm fine, I'll be back’. It was normal for people to have some doubts after a year out, but I was sure that after a game or two I'd be back to my old self.”

Tags: Futebol
Category: News