The end of an era beckons Manchester City with club legend Sergio Aguero set to depart after a decade at the club. The Argentine striker has confirmed his exit from the club with an open letter.
Manchester City have confirmed that Sergio Aguero will leave the club at the end of the current season. The Argentine striker will not renew his contract at the club and depart as a free agent. His exit closes a decade-long chapter at the club, during which he helped them win four Premier League titles.
Aguero wrote a heartfelt open letter addressing his exit from the club, shared with the fans via his social media accounts. It says the following:
When a cycle closes you have a lot of sensations. I am left with the enormous satisfaction and pride of having spent ten seasons at Manchester City, something unusual in these times for a professional player.
Ten seasons with very important achievements, in which I was also able to become the historical scorer and in which I forged an indestructible bond with all the people of the club that I will always carry in my heart.
It will be up to others now to keep you in that privileged place where you deserve to continue to be. Personally, I will continue to give everything for the remainder of the season to win other titles and bring more joy to people. Then a new stage will come with other challenges for which I feel fully and that I will face with the same passion and professionalism that I always gave to continue competing at the highest level.
Aguero is currently the club’s all-time top goalscorer with 257 goals in 384 matches. He is also the fourth-highest goalscorer in Premier League history with 181 strikes to his name. His league record makes him the most prolific non-English goalscorer in the competition to date. Aguero also holds the record for most hat-tricks in the league, with 12 to his name so far.
Despite his several records and goals, Aguero will always be remembered for one. The Argentine forward scored what was to be among the most memorable strikes in league history when he netted in the stoppage time of their 2011/12 title-decider against Queens Park Rangers. His goal overturned a deficit in a game the Citizens had trailed until the 90th minute and remarkably handed them the title over rivals Manchester United. It was the first Premier League title that City had won in the competition’s history.
Aguero won three more titles in his last few years at the club. He is on course to win another this season, with City, the runaway leaders in the league. Furthermore, with Pep Guardiola’s men currently competing in all four competitions, the forward could even end this season with a historic quadruple.
Manchester City could see Fernandinho join Aguero in leaving the club. The veteran midfielder has been a key figure in the team under Pep Guardiola and could depart on the expiration of his contract. The Athletic reports that several members of the backroom staff believe that the Brazilian will be the second departure from the club this summer.
City are expected to dip in the transfer market to replenish their weakened team this summer. A forward is rumoured to be on the agenda, with Borussia Dortmund’s Erling Haaland a reported target.