David Silva comes out of retirement at 40 to join Hong Kong club Supreme Sha Tin

Return to competitive action

Former Manchester City and Spain midfielder David Silva has come out of retirement at the age of 40 to sign with Hong Kong Premier League club Supreme Sha Tin. The Spanish playmaker, who is a native of Arguineguín in Gran Canaria, agreed terms following medical examinations on Wednesday. The Hong Kong club announced the transaction on social media, describing the acquisition as total madness. Silva expressed his enthusiasm for the project through a video address released by the team.

I am delighted to join Supreme Sha Tin. I am really looking forward to going to Hong Kong to enjoy the culture, the people, and the food in Sha Tin, and the football in Hong Kong, of course.

The move occurs three years after his departure from European football, making him one of the most decorated players to compete in the domestic league of Hong Kong.

Ownership and club development

Supreme Sha Tin competes in the Hong Kong Premier League after earning promotion to the top division at the conclusion of last season. Established in 1982 as Sun Source, the club has never captured a domestic league title or national cup in its history. Player-owner and investor Jim Wong Chi-chuen took control of the organisation three years ago, spending approximately 570,000 euros of personal capital to secure back-to-back promotions from the third tier to the elite level. As part of an effort to attract international attention, the management pursued former Spanish international Juan Mata and signed Spanish defender Aitor Aldalur. Wong aims to establish the team in the top tier by combining domestic talent with experienced foreign players who have competed in overseas competitions.

Career path and past injuries

Silva originally retired from professional football in July 2023 at the age of 37 following an anterior cruciate ligament tear during pre-season training with Real Sociedad. Before that injury, the midfielder accumulated 436 appearances, 77 goals, and 121 assists across ten seasons with Manchester City after arriving in 2010. During his spell in England, he collected four Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and two Community Shields, which led the club to erect a statue in his honour outside the Etihad Stadium. Three of his four English league titles occurred during a period subject to Premier League financial rule allegations, an ongoing legal dispute that Manchester City has appealed. In Spanish club football, he won the Copa del Rey with both Valencia CF and Real Sociedad, having also featured for Celta Vigo and Eibar.

League position and debut plans

With Spain, Silva secured 125 international caps and formed part of the squads that won the 2010 World Cup as well as the 2008 and 2012 European Championships. Supreme Sha Tin currently sits in eighth place in the 11-team league table, having recorded one win and three losses in four matches. Team officials confirmed that Silva will travel to Hong Kong to begin squad training and attain match fitness before entering competitive fixtures. Jim Wong Chi-chuen indicated that the midfielder could make his first appearance on 18 October 2026 against Hong Kong Football Club in matchday five. The upcoming fixture is scheduled for Sunday, giving Silva a preparation window to acclimate to local conditions alongside his new teammates.