Rio Ferdinand has paid tribute to Sergio Aguero in a classy Instagram post after it was confirmed the striker will leave Manchester City upon the expiration of his contract in the summer.
After joining from Atletico Madrid in a £38 million move, Aguero has scored 181 goals in 271 Premier League appearances and looks set to leave with a fifth league title.
Only Andy Cole, Wayne Rooney and Alan Shearer have more top-flight goals than Aguero, who will have a statue erected outside the Etihad Stadium.
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And despite the Argentine giving Ferdinand one of the worst days of his career in the dying embers of the 2011/2012 season, the Manchester United legend described him as "one of the best Premier League strikers of all time".
In a touching tribute to a man who destroyed him on many an occasion, he wrote: "Agueroooooooooooo.
"This name, this goal, this moment still hits me at times when I least expect it like a bolt out the blue!
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"Our closest rivals just across the city, snatching the PL title from out of our hands - bearing in mind our game had just finished and we had won our game...
"What was the score in City's game...they need a goal with seconds to go....surely we have won...I think we have done it.....then....Agueroooooooooo.
"Absolutely floored, distraught, devastated....a whole season demolished in the final seconds of the last game.
"What I will say is that as much as I hated the outcome I never hated (or disliked) Sergio for his moment - like I thought I would.
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"Why?? I think how humble & chilled he seems plays a big part but as much or more is how much I respect him as a footballer.
"He is one of the hardest strikers I have ever marked. So elusive, so quick, strong, two feet capable of hitting the ball cleanly with, great movement and a clear belief that he will score that seeps out through his paws! (sic)
"When a striker can face you up and comfortably go both ways (left or right) it's a BIG problem for a defender.
"He was direct once he had the ball and and his 1st thought was how do I get a yard to create space to shoot - so as a defender he always had you on the edge and you had to have total concentration to make sure you knew where he was at all times.
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"Deadly. Rivalries put to one side for a moment, Sergio Aguero is one of the best PL strikers of all time no doubts.
"Snatched the PL trophy from under my nose but respect when respect is due!
"Good Luck for the future @kunaguero."
In the wake of Aguero's departure being announced, there's been a lot of discussion as to where Aguero ranks in the all-time Premier League striker debate.
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Darren Belt controversially omitted him from his top five, while Wayne Rooney believes Thierry Henry is still the best to ever do it.
However, he did heap praise on Aguero after his glittering 10-year stint.
"He's certainly one of the Premier League greats that's for sure," the Derby County boss said.
"He's right up there. He's a fantastic player.
"He's outstanding and has been a revelation. I'm sure he will be missed at City and by the Premier League because he's a quality player.
"Whether he stays in England I don't know, but whatever he does, he's certainly had a fantastic career."
Topics: Manchester City, Sergio Aguero, Football, Rio Ferdinand
