Manchester United defender Rafael da Silva completes move to Lyon; ...bids emotional farewell to fans

Former Manchester United right-back Rafael da Silva took to Instagram to bid an emotional farewell to the club's fans before completing a move Lyon for a fee thought to be in the region of £2.5million.

The 25-year-old Brazil international leaves Old Trafford after eight seasons and has agreed a four-year-contract with the Ligue 1 giants.

Rafael had found his first-team opportunities limited under the management of Louis van Gaal and the summer signing of Italian right-back Matteo Darmian made it clear that his place in the United squad was far from assured.
Alongside a collage of some of his favourite United moments, Rafael wrote, 'I want to thank Manchester United fans for all the love during those 8 years. Since I signed with the club I lived incredible moments, after all it was 8 years wearing the shirt of one of the biggest clubs of the world.'

He added, 'Thank you United Kingdom, I learned a lot in this country, as a player, and no doubt as a human being, lessons that I will keep for the rest of my life. Thank you Sir Alex Ferguson for always believing in my work and for all the doors that you opened up to me. Now it's a new path, a new challenge, God bless me!'
Rafael was signed for United in 2008 from Fluminense along with his twin brother Fabio, who now plays for Cardiff City.

He went on to make over 150 appearances for the Red Devils and won multiple honours, including three Premier League titles.

Credit: SportsMail

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