Manchester City have confirmed that striker Sergio Aguero will be leaving the club at the end of the season. The club's record-goalscorer will be departing after 10 years of service at the Etihad in which he contributed massively to the success enjoyed within that period. Aguero joined the Etihad outfit in the summer of 2011 for a fee in the region of $50 million.
The Argentine striker will go on to score that iconic 94th-minute winner against Queens Park Rangers in the final game of the 2011-2012 campaign to earn his club its first league title in 44 years. Over the years, he has been an indispensable element in the success story of City and will depart as the club's record-goalscorer with a tally of 257 in 384 appearances. The 32-year-old will also bow out as the highest-scoring overseas player in Premier League history. So far, he has won four Premier League titles, one FA Cup, and five League Cups at the club.
On Monday, Sergio Aguero released a statement on his social media pages confirming his imminent departure. Rumors suggest that the player could be reuniting with international teammate Lionel Messi at Barcelona this summer. An excerpt from his statement reads as follows: "When a cycle comes to an end, many sensations arise," Agüero, who has struggled with injuries and Covid-19 this season.
"A huge sense of satisfaction and pride remains in me for having played with Manchester City for a whole 10 seasons - unusual for a professional player in this day and age.
"Ten seasons with major achievement, 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."
— Sergio Kun Aguero (@aguerosergiokun) March 29, 2021
Meanwhile, Manchester City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak has revealed that a statue of Aguero has been commissioned to honor the striker alongside former team-mates David Silva and Vincent Kompany. A permanent mosaic will also be installed at City Football Academy as a tribute to the Argentine striker's service to the club.
"Sergio's contribution to Manchester City over the last 10 years cannot be overstated," he told the club's official website. 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."
