SOCCER: Silva to exit Man City at end of season, assistant manager confirms

Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva will depart 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 leave as a free agent when his contract expires after the campaign concludes.

“Every good story comes to an end,” Lijnders told reporters following 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.”

City manager 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 around £43.5 million ($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 key figure under Guardiola’s management.

After winning the League Cup last month, City remain in contention for a domestic treble as the 2025-26 season enters its final weeks. They trail Premier League leaders Arsenal by nine points but have a game in hand and eight matches remaining to close the gap.

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-Reporting by Tommy Lund in Gdansk; Editing by Toby Davis/Reuters