Villa escapes from New York
David Villa, the Spanish World Cup winner who in 2014 became New York City FC’s first player, said Wednesday that he would leave the club when his contract expires at the end of the year.
Villa, a striker, scored 80 goals in 124 appearances for the team and was honoured as Major League Soccer’s most valuable player in 2016. Over four seasons, much of it spent as NYCFC’s captain, he provided the steadying hand that allowed the expansion club to establish itself in MLS.
Villa, who will turn 37 Monday, confirmed in a video posted to his social media accounts that he plans to continue playing. He said he would reveal his next destination “in a few days.”
“The reason is that my mind and my body need another challenge,” Villa said. “And I feel it is the perfect time now to say bye to NYCFC.”
Several reports Wednesday hinted that Villa could join his former Spain teammates Fernando Torres and Andres Iniesta in Japan’s J1 League.
Villa has been the one constant in NYCFC’s history, signing as the club’s first player in June 2014 — so early in its history that the team did not even have an official jersey to use at his unveiling. Villa quickly became a cornerstone player, leading the team in goals in each of his first four seasons, though that success often petered out in the postseason.
NYCFC missed the playoffs in its debut season, but, behind Villa’s rising goals totals, qualified in the next three, falling in the conference semifinals each time. Through its growing pains — three coaches in four seasons, the forgettable signing of the English midfielder Frank Lampard and most recently two leg injuries — Villa served as the team’s stabilizing force.
“I remember the first day I showed the jersey, and the supporters were there,” Villa said in a statement released by the team. “I would have liked to give the supporters the MLS Cup, but I don’t have any doubts that in the next years the club will get it for sure.”
Villa was MLS’ most valuable player in 2016, when he finished second in the league in goals. He was chosen as an all-star in each of his four seasons in New York.