Yaya Toure to leave Manchester City at end of the season, confirms Pep Guardiola

Ivorian midfielder has been key to much of City's recent success, but has found himself down the pecking order this season

epa06685872 Manchester City's Yaya Toure (up) in action against Swansea's Andre Ayew (bottom) during the English Premier League soccer match between Manchester City and Swansea City in Manchester, Britain, 22 April 2018.  EPA/NIGEL RODDIS EDITORIAL USE ONLY. No use with unauthorised audio, video, data, fixture lists, club/league logos 'live' services. Online in-match use limited to 75 images, no video emulation. No use in betting, games or single club/league/player publications.
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Ivorian midfielder will leave Manchester City at the end of this season, manager Pep Guardiola confirmed on Friday.

Toure, 34, has been one of City's most influential players since joining the club from Barcelona in 2010. He played a key role in the Premier League title successes of 2012 and 2014 but has fallen down the pecking order this term and started just seven games in all competitions.

"He is not going to stay next season," Guardiola said.

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City are due to be presented with the Premier League trophy for their latest title triumph after Sunday's clash with Huddersfield at the Etihad Stadium.

They will then ensure Toure, who is out of contract in the summer, is given a fitting send-off after their final home game against Brighton next Wednesday.

"The Brighton game, we will give him what he deserves, one of the most beautiful experiences a player can receive," Guardiola said.

"All the game will be focused on winning and, for Yaya, we are going to try to win it for him.

"We have amazing facilities but we cannot forget the club became higher and higher because of the players. Yaya came here at the start of that. Where we are in this moment is thanks to what this guy has done."