Manchester City unveils Vincent Kompany and David Silva statues at Etihad Stadium

Manchester City have unveiled statues of club legends Vincent Kompany and David Silva at the Etihad Stadium.

Kompany played for City for 11 seasons, captaining them for eight and leading the club to their first top flight title for 44 years when they won the Premier League in 2011-12.

The Belgian defender added further league crowns in 2013-14, 2017-18 and 2018-19, as well as lifting the FA Cup twice and the EFL Cup four times, with Silva also sharing in all of that glory.

Silva, a world and European champion with Spain, also added a fifth EFL Cup in 2019-20.

The statues, which will be illuminated by blue-tinted lighting at night, were created by award-winning sculptor Andy Scott and have been constructed using thousands of welded pieces of galvanised steel.

“I didn’t really expect to be recognised by such a great club in that way,” Kompany told the club’s website.

“My wife is from Manchester, my kids are born in Manchester, and they go back to a place where they can see something that represents what their dad has achieved and that is something that I can’t describe.

“The first time I saw the statue I couldn’t believe how big it was, but then again, I’m a big boy, so fair enough! And then especially the pose, for me it means a lot.”

Silva made 436 appearances for City, scoring 77 goals.

“Being at City changed my life. I’m proud of what we did together and I feel emotional that it has been recognised like this,” said Silva, whose statue captures the midfielder with his foot on the ball and looking up.

“When I first saw the statue, I felt good, I thought it was like me. This statue really represents the way I like to play, I love the pose the sculptor has chosen.

“It really reminds me of those times I was on the pitch playing and that moment when I had to find the striker.”

A third statue – of record goalscorer Sergio Aguero – is set to join the existing two next year.