Manchester City have unveiled statutes of 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.
Manchester City have unveiled the statues of Vincent Kompany (pictured) and David Silva
Kompany played for City for 11 seasons and has been forever immortalised outside the Etihad
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.
Club legend Kompany admitted the gesture ‘means a lot’ after the statue was completed
Kompany lifted the Premier League trophy four times during his successful spell with City
‘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.
Playmaker Silva played 436 times in total for City and has been honoured in the same way
Silva says the statue ‘represents the way’ he plays and reminds him of his time winning at City
‘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.
A third statue of City’s record goal scorer Sergio Aguero is set to join the existing two next year
City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak said: ‘Fans at today’s game are among the very first people to see the statues in person and up close, and I hope they provoke memories of the truly magical moments created by both men over 10 years.
‘Andy’s skill not only captures the strength and athleticism of both David and Vincent, but his contemporary approach, together with his chosen medium of industrial materials, make his work completely in keeping with the DNA of Manchester City.
‘With work already underway, we are all looking forward to honouring the legacy of Sergio Aguero in the same way next year, giving generations to come the opportunity to be reminded of the era of city football to which all three men were so integral.’