David Silva, 40, Comes Out of Retirement to Join Hong Kong Club Sha Tin
The former Manchester City midfielder, who retired in 2023 after an ACL tear, has signed with a Hong Kong Premier League side.
Manchester City icon David Silva has ended his retirement to join Hong Kong Premier League club Sha Tin, the team announced. The 40-year-old midfielder will soon arrive in Hong Kong to integrate with the squad and prepare for his debut.
Silva, a key figure in Manchester City's golden era, initially retired from professional football in 2023 at the age of 37 following an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear suffered while playing for Real Sociedad. He had spent a decade with Manchester City from 2010 to 2020, amassing 11 major honors, including four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and five League Cups.
Silva also holds a statue outside the Etihad Stadium and was part of Spain's victorious squads at the 2010 World Cup and the 2008 and 2012 European Championships.
"I'm so excited to go to Hong Kong and enjoy the local culture, the food in Sha Tin and, of course, football in Hong Kong," Silva said in a video message announcing his move. The club confirmed that Silva will finalize his move and begin training to reach peak match fitness before his first appearance.
Upon his initial retirement, Silva expressed his gratitude for his career, stating, "Today is a sad day for me. Today it is time to say goodbye to what I have dedicated my whole life to. Today it is time to say goodbye to my colleagues, who are like a family to me. I will miss you very much."
Manchester City honored their former player, who made 436 appearances for the club, by calling him "one of the greatest players in City’s history."