Manchester City midfielder, Kevin De Bruyne has announced that he will leave the club at the end of the 2024/2025 season after a 10-year stint.
De Bruyne, 33, joined City for a fee in the region of £55 million as the club record signing in 2015. Consequently, he featured for the English side in 413 appearances across all competitions and scored 106 goals.
The Belgian international also recorded 174 assists for the Citizens, winning several trophies in the process, including 6 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 5 EFL Cups, 2 FA Community Shields and 1 UEFA Champions League respectively.
Similarly, he clinched individual honours in the colours of Manchester City, including making the UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2 times), FIFA FIFPRO World 11 (5 times), PFA Premier League Team of the Year (5 times).
The midfielder equally won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season (3 times), the PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice, UEFA Champions Midfielder of the 2019/2020 Season, and made the UEFA Team of the Year three times, among other honours/awards.
Announcing his departure in a statement on Friday, he said: “Dear Manchester, Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So, I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester player.
“Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here – and you deserve to hear it from me first. Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me everything.
“I had no choice but to give everything back! And guess what – we won everything. Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family.”
De Bruyne asserted that ‘Manchester’ will forever be on his kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of their hearts.
He reiterated that the club will always be his home and that of his family, noting that he cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends and family enough for the 10-year ride.
“Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these moments together! Much love,” he added.
