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Manchester City announce departures of Sagna, Clichy, Navas and Caballero

Writer's picture: Andrew ZarbAndrew Zarb


Manchester City have announced their list of players who will be leaving the club once their contract expires at the end of June, with 4 notable names announced - Bacary Sagna, Gael Clichy, Jesus Navas and Willy Caballero.

A club statement regarding Caballero's departure read:

"Manchester City can confirm that Willy Caballero will leave the Club when his contract expires at the end of June.

The Argentine goalkeeper joined from Malaga in July 2014 and established himself as a cult hero with the City fans, most notably for his penalty-saving heroics in the 2016 League Cup final against Liverpool.

This season saw Willy appear 27 times for the Pep Guardiola’s side, including two memorable UEFA Champions League nights against Barcelona and Monaco – the latter fixture featuring another famous penalty save, this time denying what would have been a crucial Radamel Falcao goal.

In total, Caballero made 48 appearances for City.

Reflecting on his time at the Etihad Stadium, Caballero said: “It’s been a privilege to play for Manchester City.

“From the first day I arrived, everyone at the Club has made me feel welcome and I will always be grateful to them.

“To win the League Cup in such dramatic circumstances was special and it’s a day I will never forget.”

Director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Willy will, quite rightly, be remembered by the City fans for the role he has played over the past three seasons.

“He is a special man – and his performances this season were of a consistently high standard.

“I have no doubt he will go on and continue to prove his quality at the top level.”

Everyone at City would like to wish Willy well for the future."

A club statement on Sagna's departure read:

"Manchester City can confirm defender Bacary Sagna is to leave the Club this summer.

The Frenchman joined the Club in July 2014 from Arsenal. In his three seasons with City, he established himself as a valued and popular member of the first-team squad, making 85 appearances across all competitions, including more than 50 starts in the Premier League.

Reflecting on his time at the Etihad Stadium, the defender declared: “It has been a privilege to play for this football club.

“I have enjoyed every moment of my City career and will look back on my time at City fondly.

“I would like to thank the staff, players and fans for making my three years so memorable.”

The French full-back helped City to a League Cup triumph at Wembley in February 2016, when the Club defeated Liverpool 3-1 on penalties after the sides had drawn 1-1 following extra-time.

Sagna, who to date has also won 67 caps for France, also featured in both legs of the Club’s Champions League semi-final with Real Madrid in the 2015/16 season.

In the 2016/17 campaign just finished, Bacary made 17 Premier League starts with three substitute appearances along with three Champions League appearances and one from the bench.

He also started two FA Cup ties, coming on off the bench in a third.

Commenting on Sagna’s time at City, director of football Txiki Begiristain said:

“I would like to thank Bacary for all of his efforts during his time at the Club.

“He is an outstanding professional and has always set a wonderful example with his dedication and commitment.”

Everyone at Manchester City thanks Bacary for his efforts over the past three seasons and we all wish him well in the future."

A club statement on Clichy's departure read:

"Manchester City can confirm Gael Clichy will leave the Club when his contract expires on June 30th.

Clichy, who joined the Blues in 2011, spent six years at the Etihad Stadium, winning two Premier League titles and two League Cups.

He was part of the 2012 side that famously won City’s first league title in 44 years and played 90 minutes of the League Cup final win over Liverpool at Wembley in 2016.

He made more than 200 appearances for City, scoring three goals.

Reflecting on his time at the Etihad Stadium, Clichy said:

“It’s been a special six years for me at City.

“To win four major trophies and help establish the Club as one of the top teams in English football has been an incredible journey that I’m proud to have been a part of.

“It’s amazing to see where the Club is today and I am sure there is plenty more success to come.”City director of football Txiki Begiristain has paid tribute to the Frenchman, saying: “Gael has been an important player for this football club and I want to wish him well for the future.

“Since my first day here, he has been an outstanding in the way he has applied himself, both in games and in training.

“He has been a key part in some special moments for this football club and for that he will always be remembered fondly.”

Everyone at City would like to wish Gael the best for the future."

A club statement on Navas' departure read:

"Jesus Navas’ four-year spell at Manchester City has come to an end with the Club confirming he is to leave this summer.

The Spanish winger, who joined in the summer of 2013 from La Liga side Sevilla, has reached the end of his contract having made 77 league starts in sky blue plus 46 appearances from the bench, scoring four goals.

In addition, the 31-year-old also made more than 50 appearances in all other competitions, claiming four goals in the League Cup.

Having won both the UEFA Cup and the Copa del Rey twice in his native Spain, Navas enjoyed plenty more success once he moved to City.

He was a key part of the side which secured the Club’s second Premier League title in 2013/14 – his first season in Manchester.

That campaign also brought League Cup glory for Navas and City, with the Blues memorably defeating Sunderland 3-1 at Wembley in the final.

Navas – who was part of the Spain squad that won the World Cup in 2010 as well as the European Championship in 2012 - enjoyed more Wembley success in the League Cup in 2016, being part of the City side that lifted the trophy after a dramatic penalty shoot-out win over Liverpool following a tense 1-1 draw after normal and extra time.

Though renowned for his blistering pace down the right wing, Navas also demonstrated his versatility this term by being deployed at right back by Pep Guardiola on several occasions.

Commenting on Navas’s time at City, director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Working with Jesus has been a pleasure.

“His hard work, dedication, professionalism and desire to win have been apparent every single day.

“He showed his versatility numerous times this season, operating at full-back and doing so with distinction.

“I wish him all the very best with his next move.”


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