David Silva Comes Out of Retirement at 40 to Join Hong Kong Side Supreme Sha Tin

Three years after a knee injury forced him into retirement, David Silva is playing football again. The 40-year-old former Manchester City and Spain midfielder has signed a short-term deal with Supreme Sha Tin, a Hong Kong Premier League club that only won promotion to the top flight last season.

Supreme Sha Tin announced the signing on Wednesday through a video message on the club's social media channels, with Silva declaring he was delighted to join and looking forward to experiencing Hong Kong's culture, people and football.

Silva ended his career in the summer of 2023 after rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament during preseason training with Real Sociedad. He has spent the last three years away from the professional game, but the club said he will soon travel to Hong Kong to link up with the squad and build up match fitness before his debut.

The signing is one of the biggest in Hong Kong football's history. Silva made 125 appearances for Spain, winning the 2010 World Cup and two European Championships, and spent a decade at Manchester City from 2010 to 2020, collecting 11 major trophies. English manager Tom Ballantyne took charge of the side this week following Kenneth Kwok's departure, and Silva could feature as early as October 18 against Hong Kong Football Club.