Kyle Walker leaves Man City after almost eight years with the club (Image: GETTY)
has written an emotional parting letter to with his move to now official. The right-back leaves City after seven-and-a-half incredibly successful seasons at the Etihad Stadium.
Brought in for a deal rising to £50million in July 2017, Walker established himself as arguably the greatest right-back in English top-flight history under . He leaves as a six-time champion and also won two FA Cups, a Champions League and four League Cups.
The City captain made 319 appearances overall with his last coming as a substitute against West Ham on January 4. He joins Serie A giants Milan .
And speaking about the move for the first time, Walker waved an emotional goodbye to City with a lengthy statement posted to his social media accounts on Friday night.
He wished the Citizens the best for the future under Guardiola after the Spaniard recently signed a new contract running until 2027 and also thanked his wife, Annie.
Walker said: “… where do I start? Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true. Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble is something I could only have dreamt as a child.
Kyle Walker leaves Man City as a six-time Premier League winner (Image: GETTY)
“To play alongside so many top players has pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I’m truly grateful for the opportunity I’ve had at the Etihad.
“A huge thank you to so many people, the coaching staff, the kit men and all the backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. You make every day enjoyable and provide the platform for us to perform at our best.
“To my team-mates, from the moment I walked through the door I felt at home. Thank you for the great memories and for all the success we have shared together. You are friends, but also family for life.
“To , thank you for believing in me and working so hard to bring me here in 2017. Together, we’ve celebrated 17 trophies, and your guidance has helped shape me into the player I am today. I’ll be forever grateful.
“To Annie, our children and all my family who have been there and supported me on this journey thank you. Most importantly, to the fans, thank you for embracing me as one of your own from day one.
“Your unwavering support, week in, week out, home and away, will never be forgotten. I wish you all constant success going forward. Thank you, Kyle.”
City said in a statement confirming Walker’s farewell: “Everyone at wishes Kyle the very best of luck for the rest of the season.”
Milan have an option to make the England international’s move permanent in the summer. He will not make his debut for the Italian heavyweights against Parma in Serie A this Sunday and will be forced to wait until February due to issues with his work permit.
After struggling for form this season, Walker has suggested he still hopes to play for the Three Lions at the 2026 World Cup in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
The veteran defender, who has 93 caps for his country, said last June: “I want to go as far as I can. To represent my country as many times as I have done – honestly, I never thought I’d do it once, so to do it for the amount of years I’ve done it, I have to say is a credit to myself.
“But I look at Pepe last night and he’s 41 playing for Portugal. So, they’re the levels people are setting now, the likes of Luka Modric, people like that.
“These are people carrying on for top teams at a top level for a considerable amount of time. If they can do it, why can’t I?”