Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne revealed on Friday that he will depart the club at the conclusion of the current season.
The 33-year-old Belgian international, who joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015, has helped the club secure 14 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a Champions League victory in 2023.
De Bruyne shared the news in a heartfelt message on social media, saying, “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 reflected on his journey, stating, “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.”
Having been central to City’s rise to dominance, De Bruyne has earned accolades such as being named Player of the Year twice (2019/2020 and 2020/2021). He is second in the Premier League’s all-time assist rankings with 118 assists and has scored 106 goals in 413 appearances for the club.
City manager Pep Guardiola praised De Bruyne’s contribution, calling him “one of the greatest” and lauding his vision, goals, and assists. “What he’s done here for the past decade has been outstanding,” Guardiola said.
De Bruyne’s contract with Manchester City expires in June, but it remains unclear if he will feature in the Club World Cup, which runs from June 14 to July 13. In his post, he acknowledged, “Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together!”
While De Bruyne has been linked to both the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer, his recent seasons have been marred by injuries, limiting his appearances. This season, he has started just 21 out of 47 matches in all competitions, as City has struggled to maintain their previous dominance.
Currently sitting fifth in the Premier League and suffering a 6-3 aggregate defeat to Real Madrid in the Champions League, City faces challenges that contrast with their previous success.
De Bruyne has also made over 100 appearances for Belgium, contributing to their third-place finish in the 2018 World Cup and strong performances in Euro 2016 and 2020.
His early career saw setbacks at Chelsea, where he struggled before finding his stride at Wolfsburg, earning German Player of the Year honors in 2015.
When Manchester City signed him for £55 million in 2015, doubts surrounded the move due to his past at Chelsea, but De Bruyne quickly proved his worth, becoming a key figure in City’s historic achievements under Guardiola, including a record-breaking 100-point Premier League title in 2017/18 and a domestic treble in 2018/19.
His contributions also helped secure the club’s historic Champions League, Premier League, and FA Cup treble in 2023.
