Silva to exit Man City

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva will leave the club at the end of the season, assistant manager Pep Lijnders confirmed on Sunday. The 31-year-old Portugal ‌international, who has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during a nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, will depart as a free agent when his contract expires after the campaign concludes. "Every good story ⁠comes to an end," Lijnders told reporters after City's 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool. "I hope he enjoys the last months - there are only six weeks left - and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention." Pep Guardiola, who was serving a touchline suspension during the match, has previously described Silva as "irreplaceable". Silva joined City from AS Monaco ‌in ⁠2017 for a reported fee of about 43.5 million pounds ($57.35 million) and has since made 450 appearances for the club. Known for his tactical versatility, superb technique and tireless work rate, ⁠the midfielder has been a cornerstone of City's side under Guardiola. After winning the League Cup last month, City remain in contention for ⁠a domestic treble as the 2025-26 campaign enters its final weeks, despite trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by ⁠nine points. The Manchester club have a game in hand and eight matches remaining to bridge the deficit. Silva will become the second major player to leave the top four Premier League clubs this season, joining Liverpool legend Mohamed Salah, who confirmed he will exit the defending champions in May. The 33-year-old Egypt international confirmed the news via a video message on his social media accounts last month. “Unfortunately, the day has come. This is ‌‌the first part of my farewell,” Salah said. “I will be leaving Liverpool at the end of the season.” Signed from AS Roma in 2017, Salah established himself as one ⁠⁠of the best players in the club’s ⁠⁠history, helping Liverpool to two Premier League titles, the Champions League, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, FA Cup and two League Cups, as ‌‌well as an FA Community Shield. He has scored 255 goals in 435 appearances, making him the club’s all-time third ‌‌highest ‌‌goal scorer, during which he won the Premier League Golden Boot on four occasions.