David Silva has joined Real Sociedad as a free agent on a two-year deal after his Manchester City contract expired.
Lazio were confident of reaching an agreement to sign Silva, according to Sky in Italy, and offered the 34-year-old a three-year deal worth €10m (£9m) a year.
However, the Spaniard has opted to join Sociedad – who finished sixth in La Liga last season – a decade after he swapped Valencia for Manchester City.
Silva’s decision has not gone down well in Rome, with Lazio releasing a terse statement from their sporting director Igli Tare on Tuesday.
Tare said:
“I’ve heard about David Silva’s transfer to Real Sociedad. I have huge respect for the player but not for the man.”
The midfielder left City after 10 seasons at the club, where he won 11 major honours including four Premier League titles.
The 34-year-old bowed out after City’s Champions League exit to Lyon on Saturday, coming off the bench in the 3-1 quarter-final defeat.
City announced on Monday Silva will be honoured with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium in recognition of his service.
