Real Sociedad have pulled off a surprise transfer coup by announcing the signing of David Silva on a two year deal late on Monday evening. The former Spanish international was a free agent following his departure from Manchester City and will spend the next two seasons at Anoeta.
? Silva is a new txuri urdin player! We're excited and very pleased to have you with us! Welcome, @21LVA! ?⚪
#WelcomeDavid #AurreraReala pic.twitter.com/MJWmzfm9uJ
— Real Sociedad (@RealSociedadEN) August 17, 2020
DONE DEAL – David Silva joins Real Sociedad
- Previous Club: Manchester City
- Fee: Free Transfer
- Contract Expiry: 30th June 2022
- Position: Central Midfielder/Attacking Midfielder
- Age: 34
- 2019/20 Stats*: 39 Appearances | 6 Goals | 10 Assists
*Stats from all competitions. Club football only.
Silva departs England after a successful decade in the Premier League with City, for whom he appeared for the final time on Saturday as the Manchester club crashed out of the Champions League against Lyon. It had been widely reported that he had already agreed to join Serie A outfit Lazio but the 34 year old appears to have had a change of heart favouring a return to Spain instead.
Silva last appeared in La Liga way back in 2010 for Valencia but there will be no romantic return to the Mestalla nor will he play for Las Palmas on the island Gran Canaria where he was born and raised. Instead it’s an intriguing new chapter for the legendary midfielder who clocked up 125 caps for Spain during a 12 year international career.
How will Silva fit into La Real’s plans?
This appears to be a real coup for Real Sociedad and a direct response to the news that Martin Ødegaard is set to return to Real Madrid for the 2020/21 season with Zinedine Zidane opting to recall the Norwegian a year early from his loan deal.
La Real were expecting to hold onto Ødegaard for another season and while he is at the opposite end of his career, Silva will fill the creative void left by the 21 year old. His experience should be a real asset to a youthful Real Sociedad side and his presence alone should help to aide the development of the likes of Mikel Oyarzabal, Mikel Merino and Alexander Isak.
With Real Sociedad having sneaked into the Europa league on the final day of the season with a dramatic late draw at the Wanda Metropolitano, Silva will have a busy season ahead of him. La Real are set for a congested 2020/21 calendar that includes European football and of course that delayed Copa del Rey final and they will be keen to add more depth to their squad over the coming weeks.
