Archive · 9 Oct 2026
David Silva Returns From Retirement to Join Hong Kong Club
David Silva is a football player who used to play for Manchester City and Spain.
He stopped playing in 2023 after hurting his knee.
Now, at 40, he has signed with Supreme Sha Tin, a team in Hong Kong.
The club says he will join training and work on getting fit enough to play.
The team has not promised when he will make his first appearance.
Silva says he is excited to experience Hong Kong’s culture, food and football.
This will be his first club career outside Europe.
At Manchester City, he won many major trophies, including four Premier League titles.
The 40-year-old former Spain and Manchester City midfielder signed for Hong Kong Premier League club Supreme Sha Tin, three years after retiring.
Supreme Sha Tin said Silva would travel to Hong Kong, train and work towards regaining match fitness before a debut.
Silva made 436 appearances for Manchester City from 2010 to 2020, scoring 77 goals and winning four Premier League titles.
He retired in July 2023 after an anterior cruciate ligament injury during pre-season training with Real Sociedad.
Supreme Sha Tin was eighth in the 11-team league after four matches; Silva’s possible debut against Hong Kong Football Club on 18 October was not guaranteed.
- Who
- Former Spain and Manchester City midfielder David Silva and Hong Kong club Supreme Sha Tin.
- What
- Silva signed for Supreme Sha Tin, returning to professional football after retiring.
- When
- The club announced the signing on Wednesday; Silva retired on 28 July 2023.
- Where
- Hong Kong; Supreme Sha Tin competes in the Hong Kong Premier League.
- Why
- Silva said he was excited to experience Hong Kong’s local culture, food and football; he will first work towards regaining match fitness.
Career return
Caution and uncertainty
Readiness for a debut
Career return
Silva is joining training and will work towards regaining match fitness, with a potential debut against Hong Kong Football Club on 18 October.
Caution and uncertainty
The club said his involvement depends on his physical condition and readiness; the debut was not guaranteed.
Change in footballing setting
Career return
Silva has chosen a new challenge in Hong Kong and expressed excitement about the city’s culture, food and football.
Caution and uncertainty
The article contrasts this move with his former environment, where he competed for major honours in England and with Spain; Supreme Sha Tin were eighth after four matches.
- Age at signing
- 40
- Previous retirement
- July 2023, aged 37, after an anterior cruciate ligament injury
- Manchester City appearances
- 436 across competitions
- Manchester City goals
- 77
- Manchester City honours
- Four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and two Community Shields
- Spain appearances and goals
- 125 appearances and 35 goals
- Supreme Sha Tin standing
- Eighth of 11 teams after four league matches at the time of the announcement
- Potential debut
- Against Hong Kong Football Club on 18 October; availability was not guaranteed