Fernandinho says he expects to leave City in the summer

 announces he will leave 

 at the end of the season. He’s not gonna sign a new contract: “I want to play. I will go back to Brazil, for sure. I've decided with my family, it's the most important for me”, Fernandinho said.

After nine years in England, Fernandinho has revealed that he will depart Manchester City in the summer. In June 2021, the 36-year-old signed a one-year contract that will expire this summer. "I don't think so," he said on Tuesday when asked if he will continue beyond the end of the season. "I want to play (next season), and I will definitely return to 

Brazil

," he continued.

After joining Manchester City from 

 for £30 million in 2013, the former Brazil international has won four Premier League titles, one of which he won as club captain in 2020-21. The midfielder has 19 goals and 22 assists in 258 appearances in the Premier League. After the departure of Yaya Toure at the end of the 2017-18 season, Fernandinho became Pep Guardiola's only traditionally defensive-minded midfielder.

Following the injury to 

Aymeric Laporte

, Guardiola was able to convert Fernandinho into a central defender for the majority of the 2019-20 season. He contributed to City's 12 league clean sheets. Guardiola now has additional options in midfield thanks to the signing of Rodri in the same season. It has become more apparent this season, with Fernandinho appearing in only 13 Premier League matches this season, with only one in 2022.

Pep Guardiola

 expressed his best wishes to Fernandinho before their Champions League match against Atletico Madrid. Guardiola stated, "I want him to be happy. We're going to play for him tomorrow. Give him the best goodbye possible by getting him to the (Champions League) semi-finals following a valiant effort to get him through."

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