FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED GOALKEEPER DAVID DE GEA SHARES REASONS FOR HIS BREAK FROM FOOTBALL BEFORE HIS POTENTIAL MOVE TO FIORENTINA, EMPHASIZING THAT RETIREMENT NEVER CROSSED HIS MIND
David de Gea found himself in an unusual position after leaving Manchester United as a free agent last summer. For more than a year, the Spanish goalkeeper remained unattached, a rare situation for someone of his caliber and reputation. De Gea's departure from Old Trafford marked the end of an era; after a long and illustrious career with the Red Devils, he walked away at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season when his contract expired.
During his time with Manchester United, De Gea became one of the most celebrated goalkeepers in the world, earning multiple awards and accolades. However, despite his impressive resume, the 33-year-old found himself without a club. While Manchester United moved swiftly to secure a replacement in Andre Onana from Inter Milan, De Gea took his time before deciding on his next move. For over a year, he did not appear in any competitive matches, leading to speculation about his future in the sport.
The lengthy break from football left fans and pundits alike wondering what the future held for the veteran goalkeeper. De Gea, however, was not in a rush to make a decision. He took time to reflect on his next steps, which led him to take a significant break from the game. This hiatus, he later revealed, was not due to a lack of opportunities but rather a personal decision to find the right motivation for the next chapter of his career.
Last week, De Gea's journey took a new turn as he joined Serie A side Fiorentina on a free transfer. This move marked his return to the football pitch and the beginning of a new chapter in Italy. Fiorentina, a club with a rich history in Italian football, offered De Gea the challenge and environment he was looking for after his long tenure at Manchester United. On Monday, the former Spain international was officially unveiled as a Fiorentina player, where he opened up about his decision to take an extended break from football.
In a candid conversation with reporters, De Gea expressed his deep connection to Manchester United, saying, "Man United is a top, top club, and my heart will always be there." He went on to explain that the decision to take a break was not because he considered retirement, but rather because it was difficult to find the motivation to start a new chapter after spending 12 years at such a high level with Manchester United. "I never thought about retiring," he emphasized, "it was just challenging to find motivation for a new chapter after 12 years at a top club like Man United… and I finally felt that at Fiorentina."
Now, as he prepares to embark on this new journey with Fiorentina, De Gea is eager to prove himself once again. The former Atletico Madrid star could make his debut in Italy as soon as this Saturday when Fiorentina faces Parma away from home in their Serie A season opener. For De Gea, this match represents not just the start of a new season, but the beginning of a new phase in his career, one that he hopes will be just as successful as his time at Manchester United.
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