Kyle Walker has said goodbye to Manchester City after leaving the club – and England – after joining AC Milan on loan in Italy.
The 34-year-old decided to seek a new challenge last month after a difficult campaign with the Premier League champions.
Pep Guardiola revealed in early January that Walker was eager for a fresh start elsewhere and sources close to the player were quick to rule out the potential of the Saudi Pro League.
Having played for City for almost eight years, he has struggled for fitness this season, coinciding with problems in his wider private life manifesting themselves in the public domain as he fights to save his marriage.
Walker is ready to begin the new chapter of his life with his wife Annie Kilner and their four children after the couple apparently mended their relationship after being on the brink of divorce.
And now the defender has taken to social media to send a farewell message to City and their fans as he prepares to start his new life abroad.
Kyle Walker shared a farewell message from Manchester City after leaving the club
He wrote a message to his family, Manchester City and AC Milan when the move was confirmed.
He will begin a new life with his wife Annie Kilner and their four children after being on the brink of divorce.
'Manchester City… where do I start? Signing for this incredible club in 2017 was a dream come true. Seven years later, winning 17 trophies, including the Champions League and the famous treble, is something I could only have dreamed of as a child.
“Playing alongside so many top players has pushed me to be the best version of myself and I am truly grateful for the opportunity I have had at the Etihad.
'Many thanks to so many people, the coaching staff, the fitters and all the backroom staff who work tirelessly behind the scenes. You make every day enjoyable and give us the platform to perform at our best.
'To my teammates, from the moment I walked through the door I felt at home. Thank you for the great memories and all the success we have shared together. You are friends, but also family for life.
“To Pep Guardiola, thank you for believing in me and working so hard to get me here in 2017. Together we have celebrated 17 trophies and your guidance has helped me become the player I am today. I will be forever grateful.
'To Annie, our children and all my family who were there and supported me on this journey, thank you.
'The most important thing is for the fans: thank you for accepting me as one of yours from day one. Your unwavering support, week after week, at home and away, will never be forgotten.
'I wish you all continued success in the future. Thank you. Kyle.'
Walker made clear his intentions to finish his career abroad and is now leaving the Premier League champion
Walker won 17 trophies at City, including six Premier League and Champions League titles.
Walker thanked Annie and “my entire family who was there and supported me on this journey” in his farewell post.
He also thanked Pep Guardiola for 'believing in me' and working hard to sign him in 2017.
Kilner served Kyle with divorce papers in October and kicked him out of the marital home after discovering he had a second child with Lauryn Goodman.
During his time at the Etihad, Walker lifted 17 trophies, including six Premier League titles.
Milan will pay all of Walker's significant wages for the duration of the loan. Matheus Nunes has been filling in at City's right-back position in recent weeks.
Walker's contract with City expires in 2026, but it seems inevitable that he will leave for good in the summer after making clear his desire to end his career abroad.
Meanwhile, Walker has been fighting to save his marriage for several months.
Walker's private life was turned upside down in December 2023 when it was revealed that he had fathered a secret daughter with reality star Lauryn Goodman in 2022. The couple also had a son in 2020.
Kilner, his childhood sweetheart, who started dating Kyle when she was 16, was pregnant with their fourth child at the time.
She had been planning to divorce him, but the couple put up a united front this Christmas at the family home with their four children, Roman, 13, Riaan, eight, Reign, six, and baby Rezon.
A well-informed source told MailOnline of the situation: 'His wife Annie will be on the plane with him along with the children.
In addition to his four children with Kilner, Walker also has two children with Lauyrn Goodman.
But he has rebuilt his relationship with Kilner, who will take a private jet to join him in Italy.
“They have had well-publicized fights, but now they are looking to put all that behind them and start again in Italy.”
'The plan is for Annie to join Kyle in Italy. Kyle and Annie have had a terrible year.
'She came very close to filing for divorce at the end of last year. It seems that for the moment she has changed her mind about the divorce and is going to Italy with Kyle and the kids.
“With all the problems they've had with Lauryn, who knows, maybe Milan will be a new beginning for them?”
Kilner, who will take a private jet to join him in Italy, flew the footballer back to the marital home amid “doubts” over the couple's £27million divorce.
It comes as Lauryn Goodman reportedly pleaded with her ex Kyle Walker that she plans to leave the UK with their children.
The influencer, 33, is said to have asked the footballer for permission to rent his house while she temporarily lives abroad, in Dubai, with her two children, Kairo, four, and daughter Kinara, 16 months.
Lauryn and her two children currently reside in a £2.4million Sussex mansion owned by Walker, bought as part of her demands for child support contributions.
Milan confirmed Walker's arrival on Friday night: they pay him all of his important salary
And according to The Sun, Lauryn has contacted her lawyers to ask about renting it as she longs for a “change of scenery” after facing backlash amid her paternity scandal.
Later on Friday, Walker posted a message to AC Milan, sharing a photo of himself in a Milan kit and writing: 'Ciao @acmilan. I am delighted and proud to sign for AC Milan! A club with such a rich history, which I have followed since I was a child. It's an honor to join and I can't wait to put on the Rossoneri jersey and get started.
'I'm looking forward to starting this new chapter in my career and starting this journey with my family in Italy.
'Thanks to @markrankine_ (his agent), the journey continues. Finally, thank you very much to everyone who has supported me along the way, both on and off the court. See you soon! Milan Force'