Bernardo Silva seals move to European rival after leaving Man City

Bernardo Silva has reached agreement with Real Madrid on a two-year contract after leaving Manchester City, the Spanish giants have announced. The 31-year-old Portugal international, who announced in April that he would leave the Etihad Stadium at the end of the season, will become a Madrid player when his City contract formally expires at the end of this month. A statement on the LaLiga outfit’s website read: “Real Madrid CF and Bernardo Silva have reached an agreement for him to become a Real Madrid player for the next two seasons, until June 30, 2028.” The former Benfica midfielder had been linked with Madrid since his impending departure was announced, but his capture as a free agent represents something of a coup given his enduring quality and ability to influence games. Pep Guardiola embraces Silva following their final match together (Martin Rickett/PA) Silva, who joined City in a £43m switch from Monaco in May 2017, spent nine years at the Etihad and was a key figure in the club’s immense success under Pep Guardiola. In all, he won 20 trophies – the last of them in May’s 1-0 FA Cup final victory over Chelsea at Wembley. His haul includes six Premier League titles, one Champions League, three FA Cups, five Carabao Cups, a Club World Cup and a European Super Cup. Writing on his Instagram account in April, Silva told City’s supporters: “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. “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. The Centurions, the domestic quadruple, the Treble, the Four In A Row and much more… It wasn’t that bad.”