David De Gea has emphatically dismissed any thoughts of retirement after ending his year-long absence from professional football by signing with Fiorentina.
The former Manchester United goalkeeper, who was without a club for 12 months following his departure from Old Trafford at the end of the 2022-23 season, has chosen Serie A as the next chapter of his illustrious career.
De Gea, who made 545 appearances over more than a decade with Manchester United, expressed his excitement about this new venture in Italy. "I am proud to wear the Viola shirt and to represent Florence. Thank you all," De Gea said, addressing the media in Italian during his unveiling press conference.
Reflecting on his time away from the game, De Gea shared, "I spent a year in Manchester before returning to Madrid. I wanted to stay at a high level. I didn't stop. It's not easy to train alone." He added that Manchester still holds a special place in his heart, saying, "Manchester, it's my home. That's where my heart is set. It was difficult for me to find motivation to evaluate offers, so I decided to take a sabbatical."
Despite the challenges of training solo, De Gea remained committed to his fitness and readiness for a return. "I continued training alone. I had to be at my best and when Fiorentina arrived, I had clear ideas. They have great fans and a great history. It was an easy decision. I didn't want to retire," he emphasised.
De Gea also reassured fans of his physical condition, stating, "I am fit, I trained every day, even more than before. I am on a good level. Perhaps it will take some time in the first games, but I've been playing for many years, so you just need to put me in goal."
Having officially joined Fiorentina last Friday, De Gea is expected to make his Serie A debut in their upcoming match against Parma. Fiorentina, who finished eighth in Serie A last season and secured a spot in the UEFA Europa Conference League, will be looking to capitalise on De Gea's experience as they aim for a strong campaign.
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