After carefully considering his situation, Belgian star Kevin De Bruyne has made his final decision—he’s changing clubs.
De Bruyne’s dazzling chapter at Manchester City is coming to an end. The Belgian midfielder has officially announced that he will not be seen in the City shirt next season.
This season has been quite difficult for the team, and De Bruyne himself has struggled with injuries and inconsistency. Taking everything into account, on Friday, he confirmed that he would be moving on after his contract with City expires.
“Every story has an end, but without a doubt, this has been the best chapter. Football brought me to you—and to this city. I chased my dreams, not knowing that this chapter would change my life. And it did—because of this club, this city.”
“These people gave me everything. And in return, I had no choice but to give them everything I had. And just look at what happened—we won everything together.”
De Bruyne has been one of the most crucial figures in Manchester City’s rise to the top and their incredible success over the years.
He joined from Wolfsburg in 2015 and didn’t take long to establish himself as a key player. When Pep Guardiola took over the following year, De Bruyne became the centerpiece of City’s midfield under his guidance.
Wearing the Manchester City jersey, De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles and finally lifted the elusive UEFA Champions League trophy in 2023—part of a total haul of 16 trophies. The 33-year-old has played 413 matches for the club across all competitions, scoring 106 goals.
City won the Premier League in each of the last four seasons under Guardiola. But this season has been particularly tough, with things simply not clicking. A major reason behind that is De Bruyne’s fitness struggles.
He’s been battling injuries for nearly two years now. Last season, he spent almost five months on the sidelines and played just 26 matches. This season, he has started only 19 games.
Last summer, rumors began to swirl about a possible move to a club in Saudi Arabia. At the time, De Bruyne hinted that anything could happen. Later in September, while recovering from a thigh injury, he paused contract extension talks.
Now, there’s no more pause. De Bruyne has given a clear message—it’s the end of the road at City. However, he made it clear that although his career path is leading him elsewhere, his love for the club will never fade.
“Even if we don’t want it to end, the time has come to say goodbye. My kids—Suri, Rome, Mason—my wife Michele, and I are all grateful to this club. Manchester holds a special place in our hearts. It will always be in our children’s passports—and more importantly, in our hearts.”
“This will always be our home. No matter how much we thank this city, the club, the staff, teammates, and friends we’ve made over the past 10 years—it will never be enough.”
After a decade of unforgettable memories, countless trophies, and unmatched influence, Kevin De Bruyne’s journey with Manchester City is ending. But his legacy will forever be etched in the club’s history.
