Kompany: Testimonial a perfect way to say goodbye | OneFootball

Our former captain and talisman, who left the Club in the summer after a glittering 11 years to become player-manager of Anderlecht, will be returning to the Etihad for a special game, in aid of the charity Tackle4McR, which will see a City Legends X1 take on a Premier League All Stars side.

It promises to be an extra-special occasion with a host of former City legends returning to their old stamping ground.

And for Kompany it will also represent the perfect stage from which to say a proper farewell to both the Club and City fans for whom he served with such distinction.

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“I had such a special time at City and it’s a great chance to say goodbye (to the fans),” said Kompany.

“We had such a special time. They have been great to me and I have always given everything to them, and this game is a little bit for them.

“I want to use every opportunity on the day to thank them though the testimonial is not so much about myself.

“It’s for a key charity too which is really important.”

As well as looking ahead to the occasion, the former City skipper also reflected back on the huge changes which he saw over the course of his illustrious 11 years at the Club.

The Belgian defender said he had been privileged to be part of the huge transformation over that period of time which saw him win 12 trophies at the Club.

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And he also revealed his very own standout moment from his time in Manchester.

“There was so much transition in my time there,” Kompany reflected.

“The core and identity of club hasn’t changed but the ambition and the drive to win completely turned around overnight as soon as the ownership changed (in 2008).

“I was there just before that and just being part of the people who built the culture and changed the mentality was such a great journey.

“As for my favourite memory it has to be the Aguero (Kun's title-winning strike against Queen's Park Rangers in 2012) moment,” Kompany added.

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“I’ve got little involvement in that goal other than getting out of the way as fast as I can and yet it still remains the most defining moment in my career.

“If he doesn’t score that goal, I’m sure City today would be a bit different.

“My goal against Leicester (Kompany's dramatic long-range winner last May) summed up my time at City. I signed off my career at City in a way that I didn’t imagine, and it settled it for me in that this was the way to go out.

“But the Aguero moment was above everything else for me.”

Proceeds from next Wednesday’s game will go to help raise funds for the Tackle4Mcr charity initiative which aims to try and alleviate the issue of homelessness in the city.

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And Kompany said it was a huge matter of pride both for him and his family that proceeds from the game would go to aid such a worthwhile cause.

“We’re supporting the Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, and together have created this vehicle called Tackle4Mcr,” Kompany added.

“The main reason is to try and have an effect on homelessness in Manchester.

“I have been privileged to develop and grow in Manchester and the city has taken such a step forward. It's a completely different city to that of 11 years ago when I signed.

“But it seems to have a left a lot of people behind as well and it feels like something we have a responsibility to try and effect.

“It was actually an idea between me and my wife and what an opportunity we have through football.”