Former Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea has finally ended his lengthy absence from the game, joining Fiorentina on a one-year contract.
The 33-year-old has been out of work since leaving the Red Devils on a free transfer at the end of the 2022-23 season, although he was not thought to have been short of offers to continue his career.
A return to Spain with erstwhile club Atletico Madrid was mooted for De Gea, who was also unsurprisingly targeted by the financial powerhouses of the Saudi Pro League, who would have been able to satisfy his massive wage demands.
However, De Gea was ultimately unconvinced by a move to the Middle East, but the former Spain international has supposedly agreed to a significant salary reduction to join Fiorentina.
La Viola announced the signing of the 33-year-old on a one-year contract on Friday, and the two-time Europa Conference League runners-up also possess the option to extend his stay until 2026.
De Gea will compete with Oliver Christensen of Denmark and Italy's Pietro Terracciano for the Fiorentina gloves, and La Viola will be just the Spaniard's third club of his distinguished career.
When could De Gea make his Fiorentina debut?
Welcome to Florence, David 🧤💜⚜️#forzaviola #fiorentina pic.twitter.com/rYUzwep7ru
— ACF Fiorentina English (@ACFFiorentinaEN) August 9, 2024
De Gea will be expected to come straight into the Fiorentina squad for their Serie A opener on August 17, which sees the Viola travel to meet newly-promoted Parma in the evening kickoff.
The 33-year-old tries his hand at Serie A football following a 12-year spell with Manchester United, where he established a reputation as one of the best players in his position on the planet.
No goalkeeper has kept more clean sheets for Man United than De Gea, who left Peter Schmeichel in his wake with 190 shut-outs in 545 matches across all competitions, the seventh-most appearances in Red Devils history.
De Gea won the Premier League, Europa League, FA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, EFL Cup and Community Shield during his Old Trafford stint, although he was criticised for a handful of errors during his final season at the club.
The Spaniard ultimately did not renew his contract with Erik ten Hag's side as the Man United boss sought a reunion with his ex-Ajax number one Andre Onana, although the Cameroonian's start to life at Old Trafford was also marred by mistakes.
De Gea was last called up to a Spain squad in November 2021, and he has not played for his country since October 2020, a 1-0 loss to Ukraine in the Nations League.
Ben Knapton
