MADRID, June 1 (Xinhua) -- Gareth Bale on Wednesday officially brought down the curtain on his nine years at Real Madrid with a goodbye letter to the club and its fans.
Bale joined Real Madrid from Tottenham in the summer of 2013 and scored 106 goals in 258 appearances for the club, playing an important role in their conquest of four Champions League titles during that time.
Although his career in Spain was affected by injuries and his role diminished over time to the extent that he made only 7 appearances this season and took no part in Saturday's Champions League win over Liverpool, Bale's overhead kick against Liverpool in the 2018 Champions League final was absolutely vital and his long-range effort which sealed the win in that game (thanks to an error from Liverpool keeper, Loris Karius) were high points in his career.
Real Madrid fans should also remember how he outpaced Marc Batra to score the winning goal in the Copa del Rey final against FC Barcelona in 2014.
"I arrived here nine years ago as a young man who wanted to realize my dream of Real Madrid," wrote Bale, who added, "I can look back and say with honesty that the dream became a reality and much much more."
"To be part of the club's history and to achieve what we achieved while I was a Real Madrid player, has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget," he continued, before thanking his companions, supporters and club president, Florentino Perez.
Bale is now expected to return to the UK, with Cardiff City considered a possible destination. ■