Captain Vincent Kompany has announced his departure from Manchester City. The Belgian defender said in a post in his Facebook account he was leaving feeling grateful after an 11-year association with the Premier League club, who won an unprecedented domestic treble in the 2018/19 season, winning the League Cup, Premier League and FA Cup. In fact his announcement comes only a day after <a href="https://www.thenational.ae/sport/football/raheem-sterling-stars-in-fa-cup-final-as-manchester-city-hammer-watford-to-complete-historic-treble-1.863070">City beat Watford to lift the FA Cup at Wembley</a>. "The time has come for me to go now," he wrote. "As overwhelming as it is, I feel nothing but gratefulness. I am grateful to all those who supported me on a special journey, at a very special club. "I remember the first day, as clear as I see the last. I remember the boundless kindness I received from the people of Manchester. I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up." Kompany added: "I will never forget how all Man City supporters remained loyal to me in good times and especially bad times. Against the odds you have always backed me and inspired me to never give up." Kompany also paid tribute to City owner Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed, the Deputy Prime Minister and Minster of Presidential Affairs, as well as Khaldoon Mubarak, the club's chairman. "Sheikh Mansour changed my life and that of all the City fans around the world, for that I am forever grateful," he said. "A blue nation has arisen and challenged the established order of things, I find that awesome. I cherish the counsel and leadership of a good human being, Khaldoon Al Mubarak. Man City could not be in better hands." Al Mubarak said: "There have been many important contributors to Manchester City’s renaissance, but arguably none are more important than Vincent Kompany. "He defines the essence of the club. For a decade he has been the lifeblood, the soul, and beating heart of a supremely talented squad. "A booming voice in the dressing room yet a quiet and measured ambassador off it, Vincent can be as proud of himself as we are of him. "I am not sure he expected to lift the Premier League trophy on four occasions during his captaincy but he will be remembered and revered whenever this period of unprecedented City success is spoken about by future generations. "His leadership, intelligence and determination have seen him adapt brilliantly to playing under four different managers and overcome some debilitating injuries. He is a special character who has answered every demand the club has made of him. "We now look forward to celebrating his testimonial match in September so that we can properly celebrate his City contribution. He will always be part of the City family." Kompany has won four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and two Community Shields. In all, the 33-year-old has played 360 times and scored 20 goals. Kompany's farewell competitive appearance in a City shirt was a memorable one as he captained the side to a clean sweep of English domestic honours as they beat Watford 6-0 in the FA Cup final. <strong>___________________</strong> <strong>___________________</strong> He joined City from German club Hamburg in August 2008 a little over a week before the Abu Dhabi takeover. He paid tribute to his teammates past and present. "It's cliche to say it but it's also so true: without my teammates, I would have never been here today," he said. "We fought many battles together. Side by side. In good times and in bad. So to all of you, from the 2008-2009 squad to today's domestic treble winners: I owe you guys! "A special word also to Pep [Guardiola] and the backroom staff: you've been superb. You've followed me through so much hardship. You made me come back stronger every time. Thank you so much."