Spanish-speaking Ighalo reacts as ex-teammate De Gea announces Man Utd departure

Super Eagles striker Odion Ighalo has reacted to the announcement of former teammate David De Gea's exit from Manchester United after his 12-year stay at Old Trafford.

The Spanish goalkeeper took to social media on Saturday to announce his departure following the expiration of his contract.

De Gea joined Manchester United in 2011 and went on to make 545 appearances for the Red Devils, the most by a goalkeeper in the club's history.

During his time with the Manchester-based side, he also broke Peter Schmeichel's record of most clean sheets for the club with 190 clean sheets, a feat he achieved last season.

He won five major trophies with Manchester United, including the Premier League in 2013 and the Europa League in 2017.

Ighalo was at a point a teammate of the 32-year-old goalkeeper having joined Manchester United on loan from Shanghai Shenhua in January 2020 and made 23 appearances

De Gea while announcing his exit from United wrote on Instagram: "I just wanted to send this farewell message to all Manchester United supporters.

"I would like to express my unwavering gratitude and appreciation for the love from the last 12 years. We’ve achieved a lot since my dear Sir Alex Ferguson brought me to this club.

"I took incredible pride every time I pulled on this shirt, to lead the team, to represent this institution, the biggest club in the world was an honour only bestows upon a few lucky footballers.

"It’s been an unforgettable and successful period since I came here. I didn’t think from leaving Madrid as a young boy we would achieve what we did together.

"Now, it’s the right time to undertake a new challenge, to push myself again in new surroundings.

"Manchester will always be in my heart, Manchester has shaped me and will never leave me. We’ve seen it all."

Ighalo while responding to the Manchester United legend's post wrote in Spanish: "Numero Uno Suerte" (translated to English Good luck number one).

Ighalo is fluent in Spanish having lived in Spain during his spell with Granada.

Abdulkareem Abdulhamid

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