Maximo Perrone says the 'most difficult moment' has come as he bade farewell to boyhood club Velez Sarsfield ahead of his move to Manchester City.
Perrone, 20, sealed a £8.2m transfer to City earlier this month, and is viewed as a future talent. He will train with Pep Guardiola's first team upon his arrival to Manchester, although he will be given time to adapt before a decision is taken in the summer over whether he is loaned out or kept at the Etihad.
The midfielder was allowed to stay at the South American Under-20 Championships this month in Colombia, but couldn't help Argentina from a disappointing exit at the first group stage.
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That ensured that Perrone will be at City sooner than expected, and he took to Instagram on Tuesday to write an emotional farewell to Velez, where he has been from the age of six.
"The most difficult moment I ever imagined would come," he said.
"After 14 years I say goodbye to this beautiful club. I can only thank all the people who were part of my growth both in football but above all in humanity. To the technical staff, doctors, kinesiologists, nutritionists, appliances, cooks, everyone! Thanks to the fans for all the love they gave me, I won't be alive enough to give it back.
"And especially to my colleagues, I'm taking an amazing group full of people I'll never forget! I wish life would cross us [Velez]."
Perrone has been backed to succeed at City and in the Premier League when he arrives by club legend Sergio Aguero, who talked up the next generation of Argentinian talent heading to Europe.
He said: "There are many other players from Argentina that will show their worth soon. Brighton signing [Facundo] Buonanotte, Maximo Perrone arriving to my dear Manchester City. There's a new generation that is adding a lot to the Premier League and in numbers not seen before."
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