Kevin De Bruyne has announced he will leave Manchester City after 10 years when his contract expires at the end of the season in May 2025.
Man City’s game against Fulham on Sunday, May 25, will be De Bruyne’s last match at the Etihad Stadium, where he has been one of the club’s most decorated players, winning 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.
The 33-year-old Belgian football star shared a statement on Friday about his departure.
In his statement on social media, De Bruyne said:
“Dear Manchester, seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So 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.
“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.
“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michèle and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. ‘Manchester’ will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts. This will always be our HOME.
“We cannot thank the city, club, staff, team-mates, friends and family enough for this 10-year ride. Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter.
“Let’s enjoy these last moments together! Much love, KDB.”
City manager Pep Guardiola hailed De Bruyne as “one of the greatest” players in Premier League history and admitted it was a “sad day” for the club and its fans.
De Bruyne will be the final player to leave City who was in the first-team squad before Guardiola’s arrival.
The club signed him for €55m from Wolfsburg in 2015, and he has been an integral part of their success, scoring 70 goals and providing 118 assists in the 280 appearances he has made for the Spanish manager’s side.
Apart from his six Premier League titles, the midfielder was crowned Premier League Player of the Season twice, in 2019/20 and 2021/22, and also won the Playmaker award for the most assists in a season three times, in 2017/18, 2019/20 and 2022/23.
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