Seaman: Thanks for the good times

David Seaman has thanked Arsenal for “13 fantastic years” at Highbury after agreeing a one-year deal with Manchester City today.

The 39-year-old made 564 appearances for the Gunners in a distinguished spell in north London where he won three league titles, four FA Cups, the European Cup Winners’ Cup and League Cup.

However, his future at Arsenal looked in doubt with many predicting – rightly as it turned out – that the FA Cup final triumph over Southampton would be his last game for the club.

Seaman told www.arsenal.com: “I have given this move an enormous amount of thought and I honestly believe that the time is right for me to move on to a new challenge.

“I want at least one more season of guaranteed first-team football in the Premiership and honestly feel I am as fit as I have ever been.

“I have had 13 fantastic years at Arsenal, winning more trophies than I could ever have hoped for and working with world-class players.

“I have also had the privilege to work with great managers like Arsene Wenger and George Graham who have both been a massive support to me both professionally and personally during my time at Arsenal. But I want to say a special thank you to the Arsenal fans who have made Highbury feel like my own back garden when I played there.”

Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger – who will now be looking for a new number one at Highbury following Seaman’s departure – called it a “great loss” that Seaman was leaving.

The Frenchman said: “David Seaman is an Arsenal legend and deserves only the highest recognition for everything he has achieved for both club and country over the past 13 years.

“He is an outstanding professional and to lose someone of his calibre is a great loss to the club.

“I, like many of our supporters, did not want David to leave but of course, I respect his desire to play regular first team football and wish him every success in the future.”