Kevin De Bruyne has announced he will leave Manchester City at the end of the current season, closing the chapter on a glittering 10-year career at the Etihad Stadium.
The 33-year-old Belgian international, who joined City from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015 for a reported €76 million, made the announcement in an emotional social media post. He thanked the club, the city, and the fans, saying.
“These will be my final months as a Manchester City player… This city. This club. These people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back. And guess what—we won everything.”
Arriving at a time when many doubted his potential after a quiet spell at Chelsea, De Bruyne quickly silenced critics, becoming the creative heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s City side. Over 10 seasons, he established himself as one of the best midfielders in world football, known for his vision, long-range passing, and ability to dictate the tempo of games.
He has so far made over 360 appearances for Manchester City, scoring over 100 goals in all competitions and delivering countless assists, often in crucial moments.
De Bruyne’s time at City has been marked by both individual brilliance and collective success. He played a central role in City’s most dominant era, helping the club win:
1 UEFA Champions League (2022/23)
6 Premier League titles
2 FA Cups
5 Carabao Cups
2 FA Community Shields
He was twice named PFA Players’ Player of the Year (2020, 2021), won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award three times, and has made multiple appearances in the UEFA Team of the Year.
De Bruyne’s numbers speak for themselves. In the Premier League alone, he has:
Scored 70 goals
Provided 118 assists (2nd all-time, behind Ryan Giggs)
Created 827 chances – the highest since 2015
Delivered 193 big chances – also a Premier League record
He became the fastest player to reach 100 assists in the Premier League, doing so in just 237 games.
Although De Bruyne hasn’t revealed where he’ll go next, reports suggest interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) and clubs in Saudi Arabia, both of which have attracted big-name players in recent seasons.
There’s also speculation about a possible return to Belgium, either to end his playing career or take on a different role within football. Some even believe he could move into coaching or technical leadership, given his deep understanding of the game.
De Bruyne will remain with Manchester City until the end of the current campaign, and fans can expect to see him involved as the club continues to chase another Premier League title and aims for more silverware in what could be a historic farewell.
His departure marks the end of an era—not just for Manchester City, but for the Premier League.
