David Villa will leave New York City FC at the end of the year, the MLS club have announced.
The Spanish World Cup winner, whose contract comes to an end on December 31, leaves after scoring 80 goals in 124 MLS appearances during a four-year stay.
Villa was the club's first signing in 2014 and during his stay in America he won the 2016 MLS MVP award, while his form saw him earn a recall to the Spain national team in 2017 after coming out of international retirement.
The former Champions League winner is expected to announce his next destination in the coming days, with reports in the United States suggesting he could follow Andres Iniesta and Fernando Torres in moving to Japan's J1 League.
"I can only say thank you, thank you to everybody. First, to City Football Group that gave me the opportunity to come here. To NYCFC and MLS for accepting me. To everybody at the club who helped me day-by-day.
"Thank you to the people in the offices, the people working with the team and the coaches and staff. Thank you to my team-mates - without them it would have been impossible to be successful. Thank you to the people working in the media that always gave me the respect and the love.
"Obviously, our fans. I remember the first day I showed the jersey and the supporters were there. I would have liked to give the supporters the MLS Cup, but I don't have any doubts that in the next years the club will get it for sure.
"My experience here was amazing. It gave me everything as a soccer player, as a person, and as a family man. I'll always remember this experience with love. My heart is here and I'm an NYCFC supporter forever."
Meanwhile, Bastian Schweinsteiger has re-signed with Chicago Fire for the 2019 season.
Since joining the club from Manchester United in 2017, the 2014 World Cup winner has made 55 regular-season appearances and will count as a designated player for the next campaign.
"Let's raise a trophy. I believe in this club and I believe that we can be champions," said Schweinsteiger.
"This American journey has been very special for me and my family. I love being a part of the Chicago Fire and we appreciate how the city has embraced us with open arms.
"To the Fire fans, from my family to yours, I wish you a happy and safe holiday season and I will see you in Chicago next year."
Autore: Stefano Bentivogli
Other news - News
Other news
- 23:13 Talles Magno Is Back: NYCFC Star Scores First Goal Since 2024 in Breakout Performance
- 16:03 NYCFC Survive Late First-Half Scare to Secure Third Straight Victory
- 12:52 NYCFC May Have Found Its New Goal Machine: Fernández Mercau Steps Up in Stunning Fashion
- 10:00 NYCFC Stay Red-Hot in 2026: Fernández Shines Again as New York Return to the Top
- 14:30 NYCFC Are Flying Early in 2026 — But Pascal Jansen Says the Best Is Still to Come
- 13:00 Colorado Rapids Arrive in Form: Why NYCFC Must Stop Rafael Navarro to Stay on Top
- 00:01 NYCFC’s Flying Start: Can the Boys in Blue Keep the Momentum Against Colorado?
- 21:57 NYCFC Hit by Triple Injury Blow Ahead of Colorado Clash at Yankee Stadium
- 21:51 Knicks Eye Draft Gem While Monitoring Giannis: Could Morez Johnson Jr. Be New York’s Future?
- 13:00 NYCFC Dominated the Galaxy but Only Scored Once – Now Philadelphia Union Could Make Them Pay
- 11:51 NYCFC, Parks: "I'm happy to finally be back"
- 11:35 NYCFC, Jansen: "We're focused on scoring more goals"
- 12:56 No Draws Since 2021: Why NYCFC vs Union Is Always Decided by One Goal
- 11:47 Knicks Shock Milwaukee: 29-Point Blowout Sends Eastern Conference Warning
- 23:11 Union’s Busy Schedule Could Be NYCFC’s Golden Opportunity
- 21:08 NYCFC Return to Scene of Playoff Triumph—Can They Strike Again in Chester?
- 01:14 Knicks Ranked Top-4… But the Week Told Two Stories: Contender Grit or Warning Sign?
- 00:10 Orlando City punishing in talks to sign Griezmann
- 09:01 NYCFC Stuns LA Galaxy Comeback Bid Falls Just Short: Mercau’s Ice-Cold Penalty Secures Opening Point
- 16:04 Casemiro to Join Messi? Inter Miami Plot Shock MLS Move as Man United Exit Looms
- 14:51 Messi Meltdown in LA: Inter Miami Crushed 3-0 as Son Steals the MLS Spotlight
- 09:24 Knicks Stun Rockets in Wild Comeback: From 18 Down to Garden Glory
- 09:22 NYCFC, Trio Miss Season Opener
- 01:00 MLS Transfer Shock? LA Galaxy Target Philippe Coutinho as NYCFC Lurks
- 23:00 OFFICIAL - LA Galaxy Waive Forward Christian Ramirez
- 20:04 Pascal Jansen: "We're ready, we want to do better than last year"
- 19:16 Trump Calls Out Cristiano Ronaldo: Viral MLS Message Sparks Global Debate
- 14:00 A New Era Begins: NYCFC Confirms Historic Etihad Park Debut for 2027–28 Season
- 01:30 Coast-to-Coast Challenge: NYCFC’s Season Begins with a High-Stakes Showdown in Los Angeles
- 23:00 NYCFC Is Finally Back: 85 Days Later, the MLS Reset Could Change Everything
- 22:19 New York City FC Signs 2026 MLS SuperDraft Pick Kevin Pierre to a First Team Contract
- 12:43 New York City FC Acquires $50,000 in GAM from St. Louis CITY SC
- 12:42 New York City FC Loans Forward Jovan Mijatović to Eintracht Braunschweig
- 12:40 LeBron James Madison Square Garden Farewell? Fans Pay Record Prices for Potential Last Game
- 17:43 NYCFC Go Global Again: Australian Defender Kai Trewin Set for MLS Switch
- 00:17 A Year In, Pascal Jansen Is Changing the Culture at NYCFC — and He’s Not Afraid to Say It Out Loud
- 23:08 Not Just a Breakout — Haak Is Entering His Star Era With the LA Galaxy
- 22:20 Castellanos: "I like London, it's like New York"
- 00:09 Jack Harrison’s Incredible Journey: From NYCFC Prodigy to Fiorentina’s New Hope
- 00:03 Warriors Desperate After Butler Injury: Is Karl-Anthony Towns the Last Big Swing?
- 22:00 Bernardo Silva to MLS? Why New York City FC Could Be the Perfect Final Evolution
- 21:30 OFFICIAL - Orlando City sign goalkeeper Maxime Crépeau
- 21:04 Edin Džeko Eyes MLS Finale as Fiorentina Exit Nears: New York City FC in the Mix
- 13:47 Knicks Hit Rock Bottom: Fourth Straight Loss Exposes a Team in Free Fall
- 15:35 Alonso Martínez Named New York City FC's 2025 Most Valuable Player
- 15:34 Thiago Martins Named New York City FC Defensive Player of the Year
- 15:33 Justin Haak Departs New York City FC
- 13:08 Alarm Bells in New York: Knicks’ Defensive Collapse Exposes a Dangerous Trend
