Gareth Bale

Gareth Bale has thanked Real Madrid in an open letter confirming that he is leaving the club after nine years in Spain.

"Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football. I also want to thank president Florentino Perez, [managing director] Jose Angel Sanchez, and the board for giving me the opportunity to play for this club. HALA MADRID!"

Gareth Bale has described his time at Real Madrid as 'an incredible experience' that he will 'never forget' as he confirmed his exit from the Spanish club.

Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football. “To be a part of this 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. Despite a difficult second half to his career, when he was often criticised for a perceived commitment to golf and Wales ahead of his club, he has described his experience in a positive light.

The Wales captain became the first British player to win the Champions League five times.

Bale’s relationship with Real fans and the Madrid media had soured in recent seasons, with his commitment to the club questioned in the Spanish capital. “To be a part of this 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. “To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and be part of what it’s so famous for, to win the Champions League.

Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best ...

Zlatan talked the talk and walked the walk. Gareth Bale and Paul Pogba said goodbye. Gareth Bale and Paul Pogba say goodbye – Wednesday’s sporting social

Gareth Bale's time at Real Madrid is finally over after the Welshman penned an emotional farewell statement to the club's fans.

It is expected that Bale's next move will be the final one of his career and what better way to end than with a fairytale move to one of Wales' biggest clubs. To be a part of this club's history and to acheive what we acheived while I was a Real Madrid player has been an incredible experience and one I will never forget. Bale has endured a challenging time at the Bernabeu in recent seasons but insisted his move to Spain had been a dream come true.

The Welshman won a host of major trophies after leaving Tottenham to complete a world-record £90million move to Madrid in 2013, including five Champions ...

Since that September 2, 2013 when he arrived at Real Madrid at the age of 24, he has lived in these nine years one of the brightest times in our history. 'Real Madrid would like to express its sincere gratitude and affection to Gareth Bale, a player who will forever be part of the club's legacy,' the club said in their own statement. Together we were able to create some moments that will live forever in the history of this club and football. However, the final four years of his Bernabeu career did not prove as successful. 'Real Madrid is and always will be his home, and we would like to wish him and all his family the best of luck for the future.' Gareth Bale has bid farewell to Real Madrid in an emotional post on social media, insisting his nine-year stay at the Bernabeu was an 'incredible experience' that he will 'never forget'.

The 32-year-old - who confirmed his trophy-laden nine-year spell at Real Madrid has come to an end - became the first British player to win five Champions ...

'You do inspire a lot of people, especially from the inner city and the people that can relate to you. 'I got a message from Worcester saying the person who emailed me was trying to get hold of me. The 43-year-old won 81 England caps and six Premier League titles, and helped United to Champions League success in 2008. 'It's a lot and it is difficult to be that role model because you don't want to let people down. Blissett is a patron of the Sporting Memories Foundation - a charity that tackles dementia, loneliness and depression through the power of sport. It is a big responsibility,' he said. All those kinds of things I've been through throughout my life. More than anything, I know it makes my parents happy,' he said. I think it's more about the journey I've been through and all that kind of stuff, I guess. The 32-year-old - who has won five Champions Leagues - has been awarded an MBE for services to football and charity Wales captain Gareth Bale leads the list of sporting stars on the Queen's Birthday Honours list after being awarded an MBE for services to football and charity. Gareth Bale heads list of sporting stars on the Queen's Honours List as Wales forward is awarded an MBE... with Rio Ferdinand, James Milner and England cricketer Moeen Ali also recognised for services to their sport and charity

The 32-year-old became the first British player to win the Champions League five times when Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Paris on Saturday.

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was awarded an OBE, also for services to football and charity. Wales captain Gareth Bale has been awarded an MBE for services to football and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Wales captain Gareth Bale awarded MBE for services to football and charity

The Wales national team manager recently described him as an 'icon' for his charity work.

"It's not just what he has done on the pitch, it's what he is. He's a role model to the younger kids and things like that shows he has got class." "He's been a legend. He won't do it and then we don't get to hear about the good he does. "We had to do a photograph recently for a car company, one of the sponsors, where we were handing over a car, and they wanted Gareth in the picture," he said. "The University of Wales Hospital holds a special place in my heart.

The 32-year-old became the first British player to win the Champions League five times when Real Madrid beat Liverpool in Paris on Saturday.

Former England and Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand was awarded an OBE, also for services to football and charity. Wales captain Gareth Bale has been awarded an MBE for services to football and charity in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list. Wales captain Gareth Bale awarded MBE for services to football and charity

The Wales captain became the first British player to win the Champions League five times.

Bale’s relationship with Real fans and the Madrid media had soured in recent seasons, with his commitment to the club questioned in the Spanish capital. “To be a part of this 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. “To wear the pristine white kit, to wear the crest on my chest, to play at the Santiago Bernabeu, to win titles and be part of what it’s so famous for, to win the Champions League.

Wales captain Gareth Bale has been awarded an MBE for services to football and charity in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.Liverpool's James Milner h.

Milner has spent two decades in the Premier League and was a part of the Reds’ squad which won the FA Cup and Carabao Cup this season, but missed out on the Premier League and Champions League titles. Bale has donated over €1million to hospitals in Wales and Spain in April 2020 in the early stages of the coronavirus pandemic, and has also supported other charities in his home country. He also inspired Wales to qualification for the 2016 and 2020 European Championships, and will lead the way in their World Cup play-off final on Sunday.

Sports stars and clubs across the world continue to provide an insight into their lives on social media. Here, the PA news agency looks at some of the best ...

Zlatan talked the talk and walked the walk. Gareth Bale and Paul Pogba said goodbye. Gareth Bale and Paul Pogba say goodbye – Wednesday’s sporting social

Gareth Bale's MBE in the Queen's Birthday Honours has met with divided opinions on Twitter.

One fan shared an image from the Simpsons cartoon, of a disappointed workman, with the caption “There’ll be no Viva Gareth Bale then. But the FAW isn’t without its own Royal connections. But instead Bale played, and scored, for his then club side Tottenham Hotspur during their pre-season US tour even before the Olympics had kicked off. The official reason given for Bale's absence was that he had a bad back, and was claimed he was due to be named in the squad. The FAW hadn't sought to stand in the way of players representing the team but had warned it feared for the implications on the future stauts of the 'home nations' as independent football associations with a right to field international teams. But the Football Association of Wales had posted a photograph of the national captain to its @FAWales account with the simple caption 'Llongyfarchiadau' and included the star’s Twitter handle and a link to its website with a clapping hands emoji.

Gareth Bale and Liverpool vice-captain James Milner have been awarded MBEs in the Queen's Jubilee Birthday Honours list.The accolades form part of the...

Houston guard Marcus Sasser withdraws from NBA Draft to return for senior season Houston guard Marcus Sasser withdraws from NBA Draft to return for senior season He has earned a total of 19 trophies at Madrid.