Kevin De Bruyne bids adieu to Manchester City

Belgium National team and Manchester City captain Kevin de Bruyne announced today that he will leave the club at the end of the current season. 

De Bruyne joined Manchester City in 2015 from VfL Wolfsburg and has scored 106 goals and provided 174 assists in 413 appearances for the Sky Blues. With his contract expiring in the summer and the player struggling with injuries over the past two seasons, the news was imminent. 

Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City after a decade of remarkable success. Throughout his time at the club, De Bruyne has been pivotal to their achievements, securing multiple Premier League titles, a Champions League trophy, and a historic treble in the 2022/23 season, among many other major honors. His influence on the club’s success has been undeniable, and his departure will leave a significant void.

Kevin de Bruyne made the following announcement on his social media, confirming the news: 

“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 City 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,” he wrote in a statement shared on social media.

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. Manchester will forever be on our kid’s passports and, more importantly, in each of our hearts.

Football led me to all of you and to this city. Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye … Every story comes to an end but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together. 

Much Love 

KDB “ 

Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola speaking on Kevin de Bruyne, said: 

“I read this week that he’s been involved in 280 goals and assists, and in the Premier League he is one of the greatest midfielders ever to play in this country and for this club – there is no doubt. 

Always when you say the greatest you have to be careful for respect for the players who played many roles and incredible players that have played the last 20 or 30 years in this Club. But come on, there’s no doubt he’s one of the greatest for sure. For his consistency, except the last year, year and a half, due to injury problems. The consistency in important games and not important games, every three days being there all the time. There’s no doubt. His assists, goals, vision in final third is so difficult to replace.

Everyone can make actions for assists, [it’s] how many years and games that makes him unique. In the end this is a business, the players have to perform well and a manager has to perform well. We know that any person can discuss his performance during this decade has been outstanding.

We’ve won a lot of trophies and he’s been involved in every single one. 

We remember him as part of this club and the statement he has done to the Club, what he said to him the door is open for the rest of his life. Whatever he wants to do here or another part, he’s part of the family of this club. The impact of some players transcends even what you’ve done on this pitch. Kevin is one of them.”