Manchester City have confirmed that Bernardo Silva will depart the club at the conclusion of the current season, ending a nine-year association that yielded 19 major trophies and more than 450 appearances. The official announcement, made on Thursday, 16 April 2026, came via simultaneous statements from both the club and the player.
Silva, 31, arrived at the Etihad from Monaco in 2017 and leaves having established himself as one of the most decorated figures in the club’s history. Among his 19 honours are six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, and the historic Treble secured in the 2022/23 season. His contract will expire following City’s final Premier League fixture against Aston Villa on Sunday, 24 May.
In a personal farewell message, the Portugal international said: “I arrived as a Man City player, I leave as one more of you, a Man City supporter for life. Love you all, Bernardo.” Rather than seek a transfer during the final months of his deal, Silva elected to honour his contract in full — a decision that underlines the mutual respect between player and club throughout his tenure.
This season, manager Pep Guardiola departed from his conventional approach by handing Silva the captain’s armband, identifying the midfielder as the right figure to help restore the squad’s standards following a difficult period. The appointment produced results. Silva lifted silverware as skipper last month when City defeated Arsenal 2-0 in the Carabao Cup final, adding yet another medal to an already exceptional collection.
The prospect of further honours before his exit remains very much alive. City face Southampton in the FA Cup semi-final on 25 April, and with the title race still open, Sunday’s Premier League clash with Arsenal at the Etihad carries considerable weight. A positive result in that fixture would keep City firmly in contention heading into the final weeks of the campaign.
Should Silva collect another league or cup winners’ medal before departing, he would cement his place as the most decorated player in Manchester City’s history — a distinction already within touching distance given his current tally.
Silva’s departure brings to an end an era that coincided with the most successful sustained period in the club’s existence. Since his arrival in the summer of 2017, City have dominated English football under Guardiola, winning six of the nine available Premier League titles. Silva was a consistent feature throughout, frequently regarded as one of the division’s most technically complete midfielders despite persistent transfer speculation — most notably links to Barcelona — that ultimately came to nothing in each window.
No details regarding Silva’s next destination have been officially confirmed. His exit on a free transfer is expected to attract significant interest from clubs across Europe’s top leagues when the summer window opens.
