Kevin De Bruyne in a statement on his social media announced that he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season. De Bruyne will be the final player to depart City who was at the club before Guardiola’s arrival.
He had struggled in a previous Premier League spell at Chelsea before City paid €55m to sign him. De Bruyne has won the league title on six occasions at City and helped the club secure the Champions League for the first time.
The 33-year-old Belgian midfielder, has officially announced that he will depart Manchester City at the end of the current season, concluding a remarkable ten-year tenure with the club.
In an emotional statement, De Bruyne expressed profound gratitude to the club, the city of Manchester, and the fans, acknowledging how his time at City transformed his life both professionally and personally.
Since joining Manchester City in 2015 for a then-club record fee of £55 million, De Bruyne has been instrumental in the team’s domestic and European successes. His impressive list of honors includes six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and a UEFA Champions League trophy.
Notably, he played a key role in the 2017-18 season when City became the first Premier League team to achieve 100 points in a single season.
De Bruyne has been setback by injuries which has limited his contribution on the field. The Belgian midfielder in his post mentioned that “ as football players we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here and you deserve to hear it from me first.”
Pep Guardiola had earlier stated that he is interested in players that can handle the rigor of playing twice weekly. For De Bryune, he is at that stage where he simply can’t handle it.
De Bruyne’s departure marks the end of an era for Manchester City. His vision, passing accuracy, and playmaking abilities have not only led the team to numerous victories but have also set a benchmark for midfield excellence in the Premier League.
As he prepares to embark on the next chapter of his career, possibly in Al Nassr emerging as a likely destination, his legacy at Manchester City and the Premier League is firmly established.
