During a pre-season friendly between Manchester United and Fiorentina at Old Trafford, former United goalkeeper David De Gea received a long-awaited farewell ceremony. The Spanish keeper, who joined Fiorentina last year after a brief hiatus from football, was warmly welcomed by his former club and fans.
The match, which ended in a 1-1 draw followed by a penalty shootout, provided the perfect opportunity for Manchester United to pay tribute to De Gea`s 545 appearances for the club. Before kickoff, a special on-pitch presentation was held to honor the goalkeeper`s contributions during his time in Manchester.
In a touching moment, current Manchester United captain Bruno Fernandes presented De Gea with a framed photograph, while the rest of the United squad stood behind them applauding. The gesture was met with enthusiasm from the Old Trafford crowd, who showed their appreciation for the long-serving goalkeeper.
De Gea, now 34, took a year-long break from football after being replaced by Andre Onana at Manchester United two years ago. He then signed with Fiorentina on a free transfer in the summer of 2024. His performances in Serie A have been so impressive that Fiorentina recently extended his contract until 2028, when De Gea will be 37 years old.
This belated farewell at Old Trafford provided closure for both De Gea and Manchester United fans, allowing them to properly acknowledge his significant contributions to the club over the years.