Early Career and Youth Development
David De Gea was born on 7 November 1990 in Madrid, Spain, and joined Atletico Madrid's academy at age 13. He made his first-team debut for Atletico Madrid in 2009 and helped the club win the UEFA Europa League in 2010 and 2012 before moving to Manchester United in 2011. His transfer fee was reported at around 18.9 million pounds, and he quickly became the club's first-choice goalkeeper after Edwin van der Sar's retirement. Read more about his early career on his official club profile via Manchester United official site.
During his first seasons at Manchester United, De Gea kept clean sheets in high-profile matches and earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year for the 2012-13 Premier League season. He was widely regarded as one of the most promising goalkeepers in Europe, with his reflexes and shot-stopping drawing comparisons to top international peers. His performances helped Manchester United win the Premier League title in the 2012-13 season under manager Sir Alex Ferguson.
Peak Years and Major Achievements
David De Gea signed a contract extension with Manchester United in 2015 that ran until 2019, with reported weekly wages placing him among the highest-paid players at the club. He won the Premier League Golden Glove award for the most clean sheets in the 2017-18 season, keeping 18 clean sheets in the league. He was also named Manchester United's Players' Player of the Year for the 2014-15 and 2017-18 seasons, according to club voting records.
In the 2020-21 season, De Gea made his 500th appearance for Manchester United and recorded multiple match-winning saves in tight fixtures. He was linked with moves to top clubs, including Real Madrid, as his contract entered its final year, with reports indicating a release clause and salary demands that shaped the negotiations. His move to Fiorentina was confirmed in 2024, and he joined the Serie A club on a free transfer after his Manchester United contract expired. Details on his Fiorentina registration were covered by Forbes.
Current Status and Financial Profile
David De Gea's estimated net worth is around 30 million pounds, based on career salaries, bonuses, and endorsement deals with sportswear and equipment brands. His salary at Fiorentina is reported to be in the range of 3 to 4 million euros per year, making him one of the higher-earning goalkeepers in Serie A. His market value peaked during his later Manchester United years, with major sports valuation platforms listing him among the most valuable goalkeepers in the English top flight.
De Gea has represented Spain at senior international level, earning caps in FIFA World Cup qualifiers and UEFA Nations League matches. He was part of Spain's squad for the 2018 FIFA World Cup and the 2020 UEFA European Championship, where the team reached the round of 16. His career statistics, including clean sheets and save percentages, are tracked on official league and competition websites, with data available through Premier League official site and Transfermarkt.