Kevin De Bruyne will leave Manchester City at the end of the season.
The 33-year-old Belgian midfielder announced his decision on Friday via a statement on his social media channels, but did not reveal his future plans.
"I want to be direct and let you all know that these are my last months as a Manchester City player," De Bruyne told his fans. He joined Manchester City from Wolfsburg in August 2015 and has since enjoyed immense success with the club. "None of this is easy to write, but we all know as footballers that such a day will come," he added.
In nearly ten years at Manchester City, De Bruyne played 413 matches, scored 106 goals, and provided 174 assists. He has been a standout player in the Premier League, winning the PFA Player of the Year twice, in 2020 and 2021.
In his statement, De Bruyne paid tribute to the club and the city he has called home for a decade. "This city. This club. These people have given me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING in return. And guess what? We won EVERYTHING! Manchester will always be a part of our family’s identity," he wrote on behalf of his wife Michèle and their three children, Suri, Rome, and Mason.
The silverware haul he amassed with Manchester City includes six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, and one FIFA Club World Cup. De Bruyne’s influence was significant, especially under Pep Guardiola, who joined the club in his second season.
De Bruyne initially joined Chelsea in 2012 but made a name for himself in Germany while on loan at Werder Bremen (2012-2013). Unable to impress José Mourinho at Chelsea, he moved to Wolfsburg in January 2014 where he excelled, catching the attention of major clubs. Manuel Pellegrini signed him for Manchester City in the summer of 2015, and he flourished under Guardiola, becoming one of the world’s best players.
With 109 caps and 30 goals for the Belgian national team, De Bruyne has earned recognition from both experts and his peers. Although he placed third in the Ballon d’Or once, in 2022, he has been a standout in the Premier League as the top assist provider four times and has frequently featured in UEFA and Champions League teams of the season.
Kevin De Bruyne could still end his time at Manchester City on a high note. Although the Premier League title seems out of reach and their European campaign ended prematurely, Manchester City is in the FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
