Manchester City captain Bernardo Silva will leave the club at the end of the season, Assistant ​Manager Pep Lijnders confirmed on Sunday.

The 31-year-old Portugal ‌international, who has won six Premier League titles and the Champions League during a nine-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, ​will depart as a free agent when his ​contract expires after the campaign concludes.

“Every good story ⁠comes to an end,” Lijnders told reporters after ​City’s 4-0 FA Cup quarter-final victory over Liverpool. “I hope he ​enjoys the last months – there are only six weeks left  and has a good farewell. He deserves all that attention.”

Pep Guardiola, ​who was serving a touchline suspension during the match, ​has previously described Silva as “irreplaceable”.

Silva joined City from AS Monaco ‌in ⁠2017 for a reported fee of about 43.5 million pounds ($57.35 million) and has since made 450 appearances for the club. Known for his tactical versatility, superb ​technique and tireless ​work rate, ⁠the midfielder has been a cornerstone of City’s side under Guardiola.

After winning the League ​Cup last month, City remain in contention ​for ⁠a domestic treble as the 2025-26 campaign enters its final weeks, despite trailing Premier League leaders Arsenal by ⁠nine ​points. The Manchester club have a ​game in hand and eight matches remaining to bridge the deficit.

–Reuters–