Kevin De Bruyne has lifted 16 trophies since joining City from German side Wolfsburg in 2015.
Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has announced that he will depart the Premier League club at the conclusion of the current season. The 33-year-old Belgian made the announcement on Friday, bringing an end to his decade-long tenure with the Citizens.
Since joining Manchester City from German club VfL Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne has amassed an impressive collection of 16 trophies, including six Premier League titles and the coveted Champions League trophy in 2023. His exceptional performances have also earned him the Premier League Player of the Season award on two occasions.
In a heartfelt message posted on his Instagram account, De Bruyne stated, “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 further added, “Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.”
Speculation surrounding De Bruyne’s future at the club has been ongoing for several months, with his current contract set to expire at the end of the season.
Widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s greatest midfielders of all time, De Bruyne has been a pivotal figure in Manchester City’s consistent success. However, he has faced challenges with injuries in recent seasons.
Manchester City released an official statement acknowledging De Bruyne’s impending departure, saying, “Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the club.”
The club added, “The club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.”
De Bruyne has featured in 20 Premier League matches this season, having been sidelined due to an injury setback in September and subsequent difficulties in regaining full match fitness.
Throughout his illustrious career with Manchester City, he has played a total of 413 matches across all competitions, scoring 106 goals and providing an impressive 174 assists. His exceptional playmaking abilities have earned him the second-most assists in Premier League history with 118, trailing only Ryan Giggs (162).
Despite what has been a somewhat disappointing season by his high standards, De Bruyne still has the opportunity to add another trophy to his remarkable career, with Manchester City scheduled to face Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semi-final on April 26th.
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