The 33-year-old has signed a three-year deal with the Belgian club after 11 years at Etihad Stadium, eight of which he spent as club captain.
Vincent Kompany says joining Anderlecht as player-manager is the “most passionate yet rational” decision he has made after announcing he has left Manchester City.
OFFICIAL: Vincent Kompany will become a Player-Manager for his former club Anderlecht pic.twitter.com/LHLDX4pWAQ
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 19, 2019
11 years. 360 games. 12 trophies. @VincentKompany leaves Man City a legend and begins his new chapter at Anderlecht ✨ pic.twitter.com/jnhsnmrQRY
— B/R Football (@brfootball) May 19, 2019
Dear all, you can find my Open Letter to the fans, Part 1 of 2 on my Facebook page: https://t.co/j6qZRjJKYu pic.twitter.com/F1k8rUS2hJ
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) May 19, 2019
Club captain Vincent Kompany announced Sunday that he is to leave Manchester City after 11 trophy-laden years.
He signed off with victory in the FA Cup final on Saturday, where City thrashed Watford 6-0 to complete a domestic treble.
“As overwhelming as it is, the time has come for me to go. And what a season to bow out,” said Kompany, who joined City from Hamburg.
Part 2 of my open letter is here: https://t.co/j6qZRjJKYu pic.twitter.com/jbaSDW4iMk
— Vincent Kompany (@VincentKompany) May 19, 2019
“I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club.”Kompany added: “I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up.
“(Club owner) Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful. A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome.”
Kompany also paid tribute to his team-mates and manager Pep Guardiola.
“It’s cliche to say it but it’s also so true: without my team-mates, I would have never been here today,” he said.
“We fought many battles together. Side by side. In good times and in bad. So to all of you, from the 2008-2009 squad to today’s domestic treble winners: I owe you guys!
“A special word also to Pep and the backroom staff: you’ve been superb. You’ve followed me through so much hardship. You made me come back stronger every time. Thank you so much.”
🗣 Vincent Kompany: "Pep Guardiola reignited my love for the game. I’ve witnessed, participated, analyzed, absorbed, studied. Man City play the football I want to play. It is the football I want to teach and to see played. I have decided to take up the challenge at Anderlecht." pic.twitter.com/rBxcsABaaK
— Football Tweet (@Football__Tweet) May 19, 2019
Saturday’s 6-0 FA Cup final win over Watford was Kompany’s final game for City, after winning four Premier League titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups.
WHAT. A. DAY!! 😍🏆 *sets video to loop* 🔂
🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/5uo3tmg7is
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 19, 2019