Oleksandr Zinchenko admitted it was impossible to hold back the tears as he said goodbye to his Manchester City team-mates.
Zinchenko, 25, gave an emotional farewell speech to Pep Guardiola’s squad at their pre-season base in Texas after agreeing to seal a deal that will see City bank £32million. He leaves the Etihad with four Premier League titles and has also won the FA Cup and four League Cups in six years with the Blues.
But Zinchenko admitted it was the memories as well as the medals that reduced him to tears - and thanked City for the support they gave him when Russia launched a bloody invasion of Ukraine earlier this year.
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Zinchenko said: “I was not ready - to be honest - for this day and especially when I gave a speech to the lads. It was so emotional because I was trying to practise this speech in my room, but I just kept saying to myself ‘Aleks, hold your tears, that’s the main thing’ - but it’s impossible.
“When you see all these guys in front of you, with whom I have spent many years, a lot of memories, in good and bad ways, we were happy, not happy. There are a lot of moments we have shared with each other and that’s life.
“I am so happy that one day, I can say to my grandson and granddaughters that I was a small part of this amazing club.”
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Zinchenko agonised over Arsenal ’s offer before leaving the club he has served since moving to Manchester in a £1.7million deal from Russian club Ufa in July 2016. He was able to convince Guardiola that he was good enough to play for his team - and his versatility has proved precious.
Zinchenko has operated mainly as a left-back despite preferring to play in midfield. And his final act as a City player was to lift the Premier League trophy after making a huge impact as a half-time substitute in the dramatic final-day victory over Aston Villa in May.
Zinchenko set-up an equaliser for Rodri as the Blues stormed back from 2-0 down to score three goals in five minutes. He said: “It’s been an unbelievable time, unbelievable five seasons and six years because in the first season I went on loan.
“But I still feel like I was a small part of this amazing club and I am so grateful to everyone who has done a lot of things for me and my family.
“It’s a sad day, but this is life, you have to carry on and I wish Manchester City all the best. They already know my phone is open for them 24 hours, so we will still be friends.”
Zinchenko added: “We achieved a lot of titles, there were plenty - I cannot choose one. I have an opportunity to say a massive thanks to all fans, all the Cityzens who were supporting me during the toughest moment of my life when Russian aggression went to Ukraine and the war started.
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“I felt amazing support around myself, around my family in the UK and once again, I cannot be more grateful for what they have done for me.
“Without this support I don’t know what I could do. I’ve never been in this situation and all Ukrainians have never been in this situation. But that’s the thing, I said many times in the past already that, in this case, we need to stick together and win together.”
Zinchenko turned down an £18million move to Wolves three years ago to fight for his City future. He thanked Guardiola for believing in him.
Zinchenko said: “We can speak about a lot of different things - about spirit and character - but once again, without believing in myself, with the coaching staff and Pep Guardiola, it was not possible.
“So I would like to say a massive thanks to Mister and his fantastic coaching staff for that opportunity - for believing in me and everything they have done for me. I’m going to miss everyone here. Because, apart from the players and medical staff, the guys who are working in the kitchen, the guys who look after the grass and training ground - I am going to miss them all because they are fantastic people.
“I would like to say a massive thanks for the support that I have received during all these years. You are fantastic, you are unbelievable and you deserve the best. So I wish you all the best and keep supporting your club like you’re doing and everything will be good. I love you so much.”