Sergio Aguero will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season after 10 trophy filled seasons with the club.
Aguero will complete ten years at the club where he has become one of the most feared strikers in English football before the club confirmed that he will be leaving for a fresh challenge at the end of his contract.
Aguero, 32, is a club legend after scoring arguably the most famous goal in Premier League history to win the Premier League title for City in the last minute of the last game of the 2011/12 season.
The Argentine hit-man had joined the club at the start of that season and announced his arrival by scoring twice and creating another goal in a 30 minute spell off the bench against Swansea City at the Etihad Stadium.
And mere months later he became an instant legend at the club with his injury time goal against QPR after 93 minutes and 20 seconds to land City the title when all had looked lost.
Aguero went on to overtake Eric Brook’s 78 year record to become City’s record goalscorer in a 4-2 in at Napoli in 2017 and has helped the club pick up a further three Premier League titles, an FA Cup, and Five League Cups in his time at the club.
In total, Aguero has amassed 257 goal in 384 appearances for the club and is the Premier League’s most lethal goalscorer in terms of goals per minute played.
He’s already the highest scoring overseas player in Premier League history but in January 2020 he overtook Alan Shearer’s record for the most Premier League hat tricks after recording his 12th away at Aston Villa.
Injuries may have taken their toll on Aguero in recent seasons but his legacy will be remembered at the Etihad with a statue that has been commissioned to stand alongside ones already for David Silva and Vincent Kompany that are on their way.
There will also be a permanent mosaic installed at the City Football Academy.
Aguero released a statement on his Twitter feed, saying:
“When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise.
“A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City for a whole ten seasons – unusual for a professional player this day and age.
“Ten seasons with major achievements, throughout which I was able to become the top historic goalscorer and forging an indestructible bond with all those who love this club – people who will always be in my heart.
“I was to join during the reconstruction era of 2011, and with the guidance of the owners and the contributions of many players, we earned a place amongst the greatest of the world.
“The task to maintain this well-deserved privileged position will remain on others.
“As for myself, I will continue to give it my utmost for the rest of the season to win more titles and bring more joy to the fans.
“Then, a new stage with new challenges will begin, and I am fully ready to face them with the same passion and professionalism that I have always dedicated to continue competing at the highest level.”
Commenting on the news on the City website, City Chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: “Sergio’s contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated.
“His legend will be indelibly etched into the memories of everyone who loves the Club and maybe even in those who simply love football.
“This is not yet the moment for farewell words and speeches.
There is still much to achieve in the remainder of the time we have with Sergio, and we look forward to his contributions to the challenges which lay ahead.
“In the meantime, it gives me great pleasure to announce that we will be commissioning an artist to create a statue of Sergio to live at the Etihad Stadium alongside the ones under construction for Vincent and David.
And we look forward to the opportunity to bid Sergio a fitting farewell at the end of the season.”
City’s final home game of the season is against Everton and City are making plans to mark his departure and will hope to be able to welcome thousands of supporters to attend and pay tribute to Aguero’s extraordinary contribution and achievements.