Ivorian professional footballer and midfielder for Manchester City, Gnégnéri Yaya Touré, has sent a ‘final message’ of gratitude to Manchester City fans as he departs the club.

The 35-year-old, who ended his eight-year stay at the Citizens following City’s 3-1 victory over Brighton in the Premier League last week Wednesday, is full of appreciation to the club’s fans.

In a video on Twitter, Touré applauded his fans for their relentless support for him and his family.

He said,

“This is Toure Yaya. This is my personal message to you for all your support and all the things you’ve been doing for me, most especially for me and my family.

“I want you to understand that you made me who I am. It is only in City I achieved a lot of personal trophies like four times; best African player in a roll, won trophies, week in week out playing games and was free of injuries.

“You’ve always been behind me, pushing me on to be able to be the best and today I want to say thank you and I appreciate all the time we have been together.

“To be honest, this is the first time in my whole career I will be staying with a club for more than eight years. The love I have shared with you has been immense and incredible and I was thinking it will never end but now it has ended.

“You have to understand that you will always stay in my heart and maybe one time I will be very happy to come back.

“I think the thing my family and other persons close to me are saying is the legacy I have left.

“What I have been thinking for this club and thinking for you is what is happening now and I want to say thank you and I hope you will continue to support this club and be the greatest fans I have.”

Touré is the younger brother of Kolo Touré, who was his teammate at Beveren, Manchester City and the Ivorian national team. Their younger brother Ibrahim Touré was also a footballer, who died on 19 June 2014 at the age of 28 after a short battle with cancer.

He is known for his pace, stamina and physical presence. Touré is frequently pushed forward during the latter part of matches, most notably in the penultimate match of the 2011–12 season against Newcastle United where Touré scored two late goals to win the match and put Manchester City at the top of the league.

See the video:

A final message to the City fans… ???

Mon dernier message aux supporters de City… ??? pic.twitter.com/2nDvnHvvkN

— Yaya Touré (@YayaToure) May 15, 2018