David de Gea felt it was "impossible" to join another Premier League club after his 12-year stay at Manchester United ended.

De Gea was surprisingly released by United in 2023 at the expiration of his contract after making 545 appearances for the club in all competitions after joining from Atletico Madrid in June 2011.

He kept 190 clean sheets during his time at Old Trafford, winning a Premier League title, the FA Cup, two EFL Cups and the Europa League. The Spaniard was also a four-time Player of the Year at United.

Following his departure, De Gea opted to take a 12-month sabbatical from football before eventually joining Fiorentina in August 2024.

He made 42 appearances in all competitions as he helped them to the Conference League semi-finals and signed a contract extension in May to keep him in Florence until 2028.

De Gea had turned down offers from English clubs during his time away from the game and explained that his ties to United stopped him from returning to the Premier League.

"I turned down offers from England because after spending so many years at a club like United, you feel like you don't want to play for another club in England," he told Cronache Di Spogliatoio.

"I only wanted Manchester United, and while it's true that I received offers from England, I knew it would be impossible for me to play anywhere else. I've spent my whole life there; it's the club that shaped me and allowed me to have a wonderful career.

"I felt it was time to rest and come back even stronger. People asked me, 'When are you coming back?' I reassured everyone, 'I'm fine, I'll be back'.

"It was normal for people to have some doubts after a year out, but I was sure that after a game or two I'd be back to my old self."

During his time in Manchester, De Gea had been close to a move to Real Madrid in 2015, with reports suggesting a deal had been reached before the transfer window closed that August.

However, the move collapsed due to paperwork not being submitted in time, meaning he stayed at United before subsequently signing a new four-year deal with the Red Devils.

"At the end of my career, I will talk about what happened that day [the move broke down]," De Gea said.

"When certain things happen, it's for a reason. I stayed in Manchester, and I was happy. Courtois went there, having found a place at Atletico precisely thanks to my departure. He did very well, and I'm happy for him."