David de Gea felt it was 'impossible' to join another Premier League club after his 12-year stay at Manchester United ended in 2023. He made 545 appearances for the club in all competitions.
What happened after Manchester United?
David de Gea was surprisingly released by United at the expiration of his contract. He kept 190 clean sheets during his time at Old Trafford, winning a Premier League title, the FA Cup, two EFL Cups and the Europa League.
Why a Premier League return was impossible
De Gea turned down offers from English clubs during his time away from the game, explaining that his ties to United stopped him from returning to the Premier League. '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,' he told Cronache Di Spogliatoio.
What comes next for David de Gea?
Following his departure from Manchester United, De Gea opted to take a 12-month sabbatical from football before eventually joining Fiorentina in August 2024. He made 42 appearances in all competitions as he helped them to the Conference League semi-finals and signed a contract extension in May to keep him in Florence until 2028.
David de Gea had been close to a move to Real Madrid in 2015, with reports suggesting a deal had been reached before the transfer window closed that August. However, the move collapsed due to paperwork not being submitted in time, meaning he stayed at United before subsequently signing a new four-year deal with the Red Devils.
On his time at Manchester United, De Gea reflected on his achievements, including being a four-time Player of the Year at United. He expressed his happiness with his decision to rest and come back stronger, reassuring everyone that he would be back to his old self after a game or two.
De Gea's contract extension with Fiorentina will keep him in Florence until 2028. He is focused on his future with the Italian club, putting his Premier League days behind him.
David de Gea's decision to leave Manchester United and join Fiorentina has marked a new chapter in his career. With his contract extension in place, he is set to continue his journey in Italy, away from the Premier League.