David De Gea has officially ended a one-season hiatus from professional football by signing a contract with Serie A club Fiorentina.
The Spanish goalkeeper, who had been a free agent since leaving Manchester United at the conclusion of the 2022/23 season, has committed to a one-year deal with the Florence-based outfit, with an option for an additional season.
De Gea had been the subject of intense speculation linking him to a move to Genoa, another Serie A team, but ultimately chose to embark on this new chapter of his career with Fiorentina. This marks his first venture into Italian football, and he is set to work under the guidance of Fiorentina’s new head coach, Raffaele Palladino, at the Stadio Artemio Franchi.
The move to Fiorentina comes after a period of increased social media activity from De Gea, who has been sharing videos and images of his training regimen in recent months, signaling his readiness for a return to competitive football.
Last month, he teased fans with a cryptic hourglass emoji on X (formerly known as Twitter), hinting that a transfer was imminent. Following the official announcement of his move to Fiorentina, De Gea posted a purple heart emoji, a clear nod to the club’s iconic colors.
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Fiorentina confirmed the signing after De Gea successfully passed his medical examination earlier today. This transfer not only reunites De Gea with top-tier football but also introduces him to a new footballing environment in Italy, where he will look to bring his vast experience and expertise to the Viola.
De Gea’s illustrious career began at Atletico Madrid, where he made 84 appearances and won the Europa League and UEFA Super Cup. His performances in Spain caught the eye of Manchester United, who signed him in 2011.
During his 12-year tenure at Old Trafford, De Gea became one of the most iconic goalkeepers in the club’s history. He made 545 appearances for the Red Devils, keeping an impressive 190 clean sheets. His contributions helped the club secure numerous trophies, including a Premier League title, an FA Cup, two League Cups, and a Europa League title.
De Gea’s exceptional performances earned him the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year award four times, tying him with Cristiano Ronaldo for the most wins in the award’s history. He is also ranked seventh on Manchester United’s all-time appearance list, a testament to his consistency and importance to the team during his years in England.
Internationally, De Gea has also enjoyed success, winning the Under-17 European Championship in 2007 and two Under-21 European Championships in 2011 and 2013 with Spain.
As De Gea now prepares to don the Fiorentina jersey, the football world will be watching closely to see how the seasoned goalkeeper adapts to Serie A and what impact he will have on the Italian club’s fortunes.