Manchester City have reached an agreement with Valencia over the transfer of David Silva.
The player’s advisers and officials from both clubs have finalised the details over a four-year contract, which will bring the 24-year-old to City of Manchester Stadium. He will complete his medical and officially become a City player once his involvement in the World Cup is over.
Speaking from his South Africa base, where he is currently fully focussed on his involvement with the Spanish national side preparing for Saturday’s World Cup Quarter Final clash against Paraguay, Silva expressed his delight at securing his move to City.
He said: “Firstly I would like to thank Valencia as a club and all of their loyal fans, and my team mates there and staff. I have enjoyed six years at Valencia, they discovered me as a footballer and they will always be a special club for me.
“The time is right for me to seek a new challenge, and I am thrilled about playing in England with Manchester City. I believe the Premier League is one of the best competitions in the world and I want to bring success to City and win trophies for them.
I want to say that I always hoped to come to Manchester City and I am excited about my future there. They are a club with a great future with fantastic players. I want to be an important player in Manchester City’s history.
...David Silva
“There has been a lot of speculation about me in the British and Spanish media, and I need to fully concentrate on playing for Spain in the World Cup. That is why my advisors have been dealing with City for me so that I can have my attentions only on South Africa and playing well for my national team."
City manager Roberto Mancini said he was pleased to wrap up the signing. He said: “I think that David Silva is one of the best midfielders in Europe, and I hope he will be a very important player for Manchester City.
“I am so pleased he is coming to us, I think he can make a big, big impact for Manchester City. In signing David, we are showing the World that we are bringing the best players here and that we hope to compete to win the Premier League. When players see what is happening at Manchester City and the ambition they are attracted to what we are building and want to be a part of it."
“I hope he does very well for Spain in the World Cup and then joins us for our pre-season, ready to compete in the Premier League. I am very excited about seeing him playing for Manchester City.”
See David in action next season - Seasoncards are on general sale from 1 July, click here for more info.
