Spanish goalkeeper David de Gea will leave Manchester United this summer as he announced that “it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge.”

The 32-year-old became a free agent as his contract with the Red Devils at the Old Trafford club had run out.

“I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters,” he wrote on social media.

De Gea started his career at Atletico Madrid but joined United for £18.9m in 2011.

The announcement of his departure comes with United manager Erik ten Hag’s side hopeful of concluding a deal for Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana.

De Gea added: “I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.

“I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.

“It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together.

“Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.

“Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me.”

De Gea has won the Premier League, FA Cup, Uefa Europa League and two Carabao Cups while at Old Trafford.

No concrete offers have come up for the goalkeeper but he has been linked with a move to join the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and other top players in the Saudi Pro League.

BBC