New York City have confirmed captain David Villa will leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the year.
Spain s record goalscorer and part of the squads that won Euro 2008 and the 2010 World Cup, Villa became City s first signing when he joined from Atletico Madrid in June 2014.
He went on to score 80 goals in 124 Major League Soccer appearances, becoming a hugely popular figure in New York in the process and earning a Spain recall in 2017 – three years after his previous appearance at international level.
My experience here was amazing, said the 36-year-old Villa, who has been linked with a move to Japan and will announce his next playing destination in the coming days .
It gave me everything as a soccer player, as a person, and as a family man. I ll always remember this experience with love. My heart is here and I m an NYCFC supporter forever.
— New York City FC (@NYCFC)
Paying tribute to the 2016 MLS MVP, New York City sporting director Claudio Reyna added: David has been an incredible ambassador and captain to this club since the moment we signed him. His professionalism and leadership helped us through the challenges that a new team faces when they come into the league.
He s represented New York City FC tremendously both on and off the pitch and has been a real leader for this football club.
I truly believe that David will be remembered as one of the best players to ever play in MLS. He will forever be a legend amongst all of our wonderful supporters and everyone here at NYCFC wishes David nothing but the best in the remainder of his career. He will always be a part of NYCFC.
While Villa is leaving MLS, another former World Cup winner, Bastian Schweinsteiger, has confirmed he will spend a third season as a designated player with Chicago Fire.
Happy to announce I ll be returning to the the 2019 Season
— Basti Schweinsteiger (@BSchweinsteiger)
Let s raise a trophy, said Schweinsteiger. I believe in this club and I believe that we can be champions.
