Kyle Walker breaks silence on Man City exit with 253-word letter, thanks wife Annie

Kyle Walker has penned an emotional parting letter to Manchester City with his move to AC Milan now official. The right-back leaves town after seven incredibly successful seasons at the Etihad Stadium.

Featured for a deal reaching £50million in July 2017, Walker established himself as arguably the greatest right-back in English top-flight history under Pep Guardiola. He leaves as a six-time Premier League champion and has also won two FA Cups, one Champions League and four Championship Cups.

The City captain has made 319 appearances in total with his last coming as a substitute against West Ham on January 4. He joins Serie A Giants Milan on an initial loan deal until the end of the season.

And speaking about the move for the first time, Walker bid City an emotional farewell with a lengthy statement posted to his social media accounts on Friday evening.

He wished 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: “Manchester City… Where to 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 dreamed of as a child.

“Playing alongside so many top players has pushed me to be the best version of myself, and I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had at the Etihad.

“A big 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 do our best.

“To my teammates, from the moment I walked in the door, I felt at home. Thank you for the great memories and for all the success we shared together. You are friends, but also family for life.

“To Pep Guardiola, thank you for believing in me and working so hard to bring me here in 2017. Together we celebrated 17 trophies, and your guidance helped shape me into the player I am today. I will 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 after week, at home and away, will never be forgotten. I wish you all continued success in the future. Thanks, Kyle.

City said in a statement confirming Walker's farewell: “Everyone at Manchester City wishes Kyle the best of luck for the remainder of the season.”

Milan have the 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 problems with his work permit.

After struggling for form this season, Walker 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 possible. To represent my country as many times as I have – honestly, I never thought I would do it once, so to do it for the number of years that I have done it, I have to say that it It's a credit to me.

“But I watch Pepe last night and he’s 41 playing for Portugal. So these are the levels that people are setting now, like Luka Modric, people like that.

“These are people who continue for top teams at a higher level for a considerable period of time. If they can do it, why can't I?