Pablo Zabaleta deserves a victorious finale to mark the end of his nine-year Manchester City career, manager Pep Guardiola said Monday.
The Argentinian full-back is leaving the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires at the end of the season, with Premier League rivals West Ham the 32-year-old’s likeliest destination.
Zabaleta joined City from Espanyol for £6.45 million ($8.3 million, 7.6 million euros) on August 31, 2008, a day before the Abu Dhabi United Group, led by billionaire Sheikh Mansour, completed a takeover that transformed the club’s fortunes.
Because of the timing of his arrival, and the service he has given to City, Zabaleta has become closely associated with the modern era at the Etihad Stadium, while the quality of his performances has made him a popular figure with the club’s supporters.
He was a key member of the side that won the Premier League title in 2012, scoring the opening goal in the dramatic 3-2 final-day win over Queens Park Rangers that ensured City became champions of England for the first time since 1968.
Zabaleta has won two league titles with City, as well as the FA Cup once, in 2011, and the League Cup twice.
He is expected to make his final home appearance for the club when they play West Bromwich Albion at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday, five days before City complete their Premier League campaign at Watford.
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