It Was Difficult For Me To Find Motivation After Man Utd – Says, David De Gea

Former Manchester United goalkeeper, and new Fiorentina signing, David de Gea, has admitted that he found it difficult to motivate himself to find a new club following his exit from Manchester United last summer.

The Spaniard recently concluded his long search for a new club, joining Italian side Fiorentina. He officially joined the club on Friday, signing a one-year deal.

De Gea had been a free agent since he announced his departure from Old Trafford on July 8 of last year, leaving the club after the contract expired.

As the 2022/23 season neared, both De Ge and United felt optimistic about him signing a new contract and starting his 13th season at Old Trafford.

However, United’s position on keeping the 33-year-old changed after he made several costly mistakes toward the season’s end.

Having enjoyed 12 years at Old Trafford, winning eight trophies and four United Player of the Year awards, he has revealed that he found it challenging to immediately enter a new chapter.

“Man United is a top, top club and my heart will always be there,” said De Gea, speaking at his official unveiling on Monday.

“I never thought about retiring, it was just difficult to find motivations for a new chapter after 12 years at a top club like Man United… and I finally felt that at Fiorentina.”

Before joining the Italian club, De Gea was rumored to be linked to another Serie A team, Genoa.

Additionally, there were speculations about a potential move to the United and an unnamed club in the Premier League.

On his decision to join Fiorentina, De Gea added: “Obviously I had many offers, but I wanted to play in Serie A and since Fiorentina contacted me it was all very easy. Both parties wanted this and both parties are happy.”

The Spaniard was also asked about Fiorentina’s goal of winning a European trophy this season, after losing the Conference League final twice.

“In Spain, they say that usually, the third time is the right time, after two lost finals… but I wouldn’t look too far ahead… I would think about Parma, hoping then in the long run to win some trophies. You have to aspire to the maximum knowing that it will be very difficult.”

De Gea made 545 appearances for United, recording nearly 200 clean sheets. He was a member of the squad that secured the club’s most recent Premier League title in 2012/13.