Bernardo Silva will leave Manchester City at the end of the season when his contract expires, the Premier League champions confirmed bringing an end to one of the most successful eras in the club’s history.
The 31-year-old Portuguese midfielder, who currently serves as club captain, joined City from AS Monaco in a £43 million ($58 million) deal and went on to become a central figure under manager Pep Guardiola.
During his nine-year spell at the Etihad, Silva made over 450 appearances, scoring 76 goals and providing 77 assists. He also helped City secure 15 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the UEFA Champions League, and played a key role in the club’s historic treble-winning 2022/23 campaign.
In a statement, Manchester City described Silva’s contribution as “incalculable” and praised his impact during what it called the club’s “greatest sustained period of success.”
“Manchester City can confirm Bernardo Silva will leave the club this summer,” the statement read.
“Bernardo will now focus on ensuring his remaining time at City ends with even more silverware, with Pep Guardiola’s side still very much in the hunt for both the Premier League title and the FA Cup.
“In short, he will be deservedly remembered both as one of City’s finest and most popular players of all time.”
Silva recently broke into the club’s top 10 all-time appearance makers, surpassing former stars including David Silva, Paul Power and Willie Donachie.
Confirming his departure in an emotional message shared on Instagram, Silva reflected on his journey at the club.
“When I arrived nine years ago, I was following a dream of a little boy, wanting to succeed in life, wanting to achieve great things,” he wrote.
“This city and this club gave me much more than that, much more than I ever hoped for. What we won and achieved together is a legacy that will forever be cherished in my heart.”
He added: “The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more… It wasn’t that bad.”
Silva also spoke about the personal milestones he achieved in Manchester, noting that the city became home to his young family.
“In a few months, it’s time to say goodbye to the city where not only we won so much as a football club, but also where I started my marriage and my family,” he said.
Thanking fans for their “unconditional support,” Silva said he would leave as a “Man City supporter for life.”
“To the club, Pep, the staff and all my team-mates these nine years, thank you for all the memories and for letting me be a part of this journey for so long,” he added.
With weeks left in the season, Silva urged the team to finish strongly.
“Let’s enjoy together these last weeks and fight for what this season still brings us.”
