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<ul><li>Released by Red Devils as a free agent</li><li>Spent a year mulling over his options</li><li>Enjoying new challenge with Fiorentina</li></ul><table><tbody><tr><td><a href="https://www.whatsapp.com/channel/0029Va2ivxLJJhzdzbJdwo0n"><strong>Follow GOAL on WhatsApp!</strong></a> 🟢📱</td></tr></tbody></table><script type="application/json" data-placement="fcplayer-semantic">{"type":"fcplayer-semantic","data":{"embedCode":"//cdn.fcp.codes/embed-code-template/embed-code-template.js#SEMANTIC_5704afb8-c10b-4ba5-9cb4-d7fb6098ef90"}}</script>

‘Impossible’ - Why David de Gea turned down Premier League offers after leaving Man Utd and enjoying 12-month sabbatical

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<p>After 12 years at Old Trafford, during which he made 545 appearances and <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/de-gea-overtakes-ronaldo-with-record-breaking-fourth-man-utd-player-of-the-year-prize/lcrdqfu3v42v1e61nzg7y9p6z" target="_blank">became a four-time Player of the Year</a>, Spain international De Gea was surprisingly released by the Red Devils as a free agent when his contract expired.</p>

WHAT HAPPENED?

<p>Questions have been asked of that decision on a regular basis as De Gea’s successor in Manchester, Cameroon international <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/look-whos-back-will-man-utd-re-sign-david-dea-andre-onana-afcon-duty-dwight-yorke-goalkeeper-transfer-poser/bltc224aa72d15b845f" target="_blank">Andre Onana, has found the going tough in English football</a> - with a number of costly errors being made across his two seasons as No.1.</p>

THE BIGGER PICTURE

<p>De Gea opted to enjoy a 12-month sabbatical after severing ties with United, <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/are-you-watching-man-utd-david-de-gea-s-fine-fiorentina-form-rewarded-player-month-award-after-flawless-october/blt37269b850ed1977a" target="_blank">eventually signing for Serie A side Fiorentina in 2024</a>, with the 34-year-old snubbing several approaches from England before heading to Italy.</p>

DID YOU KNOW?

<p>De Gea has told <a href="https://www.cronachedispogliatoio.it/de-gea-intervista-si-racconta/" target="_blank"><em>Cronache ii spogliatoio</em></a>: “I turned down offers from England because after spending so many years at a club like United, you feel like you don't want to play for another club in England. 
</p><p>“I only wanted Manchester United, and while it's true that I received offers from England, I knew it would be impossible for me to play anywhere else. I've spent my whole life there; it's the club that shaped me and allowed me to have a wonderful career. 
</p><p>“I felt it was time to rest and come back even stronger. People asked me, 'When are you coming back?' I reassured everyone, 'I'm fine, I'll be back’. It was normal for people to have some doubts after a year out, but I was sure that after a game or two I'd be back to my old self.”</p>

WHAT DE GEA SAID

<p>Life in Florence is serving De Gea well, with his vast experience being put to good use by a team that <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-de-gea-shocked-antony-stunner-goalkeeper-brutal-claim-former-man-utd-team-mate/blt64cd1fe23d30a68b" target="_blank">reached the Conference League semi-finals</a> last season. The Spaniard has since <a href="https://www.goal.com/en-gb/lists/david-de-gea-stays-goalkeeper-signs-long-term-contract-fiorentina-man-utd-star-strong-season-serie-a/blt8c19a82bd8f4f8e9" target="_blank">committed to a new contract through to 2028</a>.</p>

WHAT NEXT?

‘Impossible’ - Why David de Gea turned down Premier League offers after leaving Man Utd and enjoying 12-month sabbatical | Goal.com

David de Gea has explained why it was “impossible” for him to accept Premier League offers on the back of leaving Manchester United in 2023.

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