After leaving Besiktas last week, Eric Bailly re-signed with Villarreal and made his first public statement since leaving Manchester United.

After being suspended along with four other teammates for “poor performance and incompatibility” during the 3-1 loss to Fenerbahce on December 9, the 29-year-old’s contract with the Turkish club was mutually terminated.

Bailly returned to his previous club, Villarreal, the same day after Besiktas announced his dismissal; he had previously played for United in 2016. The center back has finally spoken up after returning to Spain.

“Bienvenido de nuevo a tu casa!” he wrote on Instagram, which is Spanish for “I’ve missed you, groguets!” Over the weekend, Rafaela Pimenta, Besiktas’s agent, spoke out against the club’s decision to fire her client.

“We are shocked and it took us by surprise,” she commented. Since we are aware that Eric has done nothing wrong, we are getting ready to respond. We will ensure the player’s protection as his rights are being infringed upon.

A mutual agreement has terminated Eric Bailly’s contract,” stated the club statement that confirmed his departure. We hope that Eric Bailly’s career takes off.

Bailly subsequently thanked the Besiktas fans on social media. He expressed his deepest gratitude to the incredible Besiktas supporters for their overwhelming support and welcoming atmosphere on X. The support I received from the audience will endure long after my time here ended.

From 2016 until 2023, United saw 113 games from Bailly, who spent his last season on loan at Marseille. He won the Community Shield, League Cup, and Europa League while playing for Manchester United.

After his contract expired last summer, United paid Villarreal £30 million to acquire defender Eric Bailly, who left for free. In Tuesday’s match against Valencia, Bailly may make his second appearance for the team.