David Villa has confirmed he will leave New York City at the end of December but wants to continue his playing career for one more season.
The former Spain international will turn 37 next month and he has confirmed he will leave MLS next month, which his next move remaining unclear.
“The time has come to leave New York City,” Villa confirmed on YouTube, as cited by Diario AS.
“I feel the time has come. My contract is finishing. I understand the club were interested in me staying and that was my first though as well but now I have the feeling that it’s the right moment for me to leave.
“It’s complicated to explain. I feel like the end of an era has come and that I need to look for a new challenge.”
Villa scored 80 goals in 124 MLS appearances for New York City, whom he became their first foreign star, across four campaigns.
There is little indication where Villa will end up in January but reports suggest he may return to Spain or possibly a move to Japanese club Yokohama F Marinos in Japan – where he would join former international teammates Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres in the J-League.
Villa previously played for Sporting Gijon, Real Zaragoza, Valencia and Barcelona, while netting 59 goals in 98 international appearances.
