Aguero will leave Manchester City when contract expires to 'retire at Independiente'

Sergio Aguero will not be extending his stay at the Etihad Stadium and will be crossing the Atlantic Ocean instead.

In conversation with Independiente en la Uno, an Argentinian radio station, Aguero reiterated that he will be joining Club Atletico Independiente, the club where he made his professional debut, once his contract with Manchester City expires. There is some confusion, however, as Aguero specified that he will return to El Rojo after the 2018 World Cup, while his contract with the Citizens runs until the end of the 2018-19 Premier League season.

After, in December, Aguero announced that he would return to Independiente in 2019, it was reported in February that he was poised to commit his future to City with a contract extension that would run until at least 2020. However, on Thursday, El Kun threw those reports into the fireplace.

"In the last few months a lot of things have been said about a new contract, but I didn't pay any attention," Aguero said, according to ESPN FC. "It is all set. I am going to retire at Independiente. My family knows, I will return as soon as I finish out my contract with Manchester City. Here they are already aware. They know that I want to return to Argentina. I am giving my word, from England, that I shall return to Avellaneda. I dream of playing with my brothers.

"Here at the club they are great with me, they always told me that they were open if the chance of a transfer arises. But where am I going to go in Europe? No, when I go, when my contract ends, I'm going to Argentina to play for El Rojo. From Manchester, straight to Avellaneda."

Aguero also spoke about recruiting Lionel Messi to Independiente, confessing that he could only do so if he first took the pitch for Newell's Old Boys, and about other players who are also hoping to return to the Estadio Libertadores de America.

"Lio told me once that if I wanted him to play for the Reds (Independiente), I would first have to go to Newell's," Aguero added. "I know there are other players who want to return to Independiente, but I don't want to put them on the spot.

"One of them, though, is someone who already played with me at Avellaneda and has told me that if I return, he will too."

Aguero made his professional debut for Independiente in 2003, when he was only 15 years and 35 days old, breaking a record held by Diego Maradona. He went on to tally 23 goals in 53 appearances for El Rojo before putting pen to paper with Atletico Madrid.