21. David Silva

Position

Midfielder

Height (ft)

171 cm

Date of birth

8 January 1986

Place of birth

Arguineguin, Spain

International caps / goals

44 / 10

David Silva must have felt at home straight away at the City of Manchester Stadium, having conjured the winning goal on his previous visit.

The Spanish international has happy memories of his new home ground after scoring for Champions League outfit Valencia in a pre-season opener against City in 2007.

He was joint top scorer with four goals in the 2005 FIFA World Youth Championships, helping Spain to reach the quarter-finals, and made his senior debut in November, 2006.

David scored his first goals in a 3-2 win over Greece in 2007 and played a key role in Spain's 2008 European Championship success, including a semi-final goal against Russia.

He came to prominence when Valencia loaned him to top-flight side Celta Vigo for the 2005-06 season and he hit four goals in 31 games to help clinch a UEFA Cup spot.

David's exploits earned him a seven-year contract and he made more than 140 appearances for Valencia, scoring 20 goals, before deciding to join City's Blue Revolution. He quickly adjusted to the demands of English football, with a brilliant individual goal at Bloomfield Road helping him win City's player of the month award for October. More influential performances saw him scoop the same prize in the following month.