Kevin De Bruyne Confirms Departure From Manchester City After A Decade Of Glory.
Manchester City fans received the bittersweet news they had long dreaded: Kevin De Bruyne, the club’s iconic Belgian midfielder, will depart the Etihad Stadium at the end of the 2024-2025 season. The 33-year-old announced his exit on 4 April 2025 via an emotional social media post, marking the end of a remarkable 10-year tenure with the Premier League giants.
De Bruyne, who joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club-record £55 million, has been the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s squad, helping the team secure an impressive haul of 19 major honours. His trophy cabinet includes six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, two Community Shields, and the UEFA Champions League in 2023—the club’s first-ever triumph in the competition. Over his decade at City, De Bruyne made 413 appearances, scoring 106 goals and providing 174 assists, a record that underscores his status as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history.
In his heartfelt message to fans, De Bruyne wrote, “Dear Manchester… 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. Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye … Every story comes to an end but this has definitely been the best chapter.” He added that Manchester will “forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts,” reflecting the deep bond his family has formed with the city.
Pep Guardiola, speaking shortly after the announcement, paid a glowing tribute to his departing captain. “In the Premier League, he is one of the greatest midfielders in this country and top of the club. Great, if not the greatest,” Guardiola said. He highlighted De Bruyne’s unique ability, noting, “His assists, goals, and vision in the final third is so difficult to replace… We’ve won a lot of trophies and he’s been involved in every single one.” Reflecting on their personal connection, Guardiola added, “We’ve always had a special relationship. Kevin is a special person and player… How many games, meetings, training, food and bad moments. Hugs and shouts, he’s been involved for a decade.”
De Bruyne’s impact on the pitch is undeniable. He holds the second-most assists in Premier League history with 118, trailing only Ryan Giggs, and has won the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award three times (2017-18, 2019-20, and 2022-23). He also shares the record for the most assists in a single Premier League season (20 in 2019-20) with Thierry Henry. His accolades include two Premier League Player of the Season awards (2019-20 and 2021-22), four Manchester City Player of the Season honours, and a third-place finish in the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
However, the 2024-2025 season has been challenging for De Bruyne, with injuries limiting his involvement. He has started just 19 of his 31 appearances this campaign, contributing four goals and seven assists. A hamstring injury in 2023-24 sidelined him for four months, and an abdominal issue kept him out from September to November 2024. Guardiola has acknowledged the physical toll, previously admitting that he needs players who can handle the demands of playing twice a week—a factor that may have influenced the club’s reluctance to offer a contract extension.
De Bruyne’s contract officially expires on 30 June 2025, which falls during the Club World Cup (14 June to 13 July). FIFA has introduced an “exceptional registration window” from 1-10 June for clubs in the tournament, and teams can replace players between 27 June and 3 July. This means De Bruyne could play in the group stage but would need a short-term extension to participate in the knockout rounds, a decision Guardiola has left to the player.
As for what’s next, speculation has swirled around De Bruyne’s future for months. Last June, he hinted at openness to a move to Saudi Arabia, saying, “At my age you have to be open to everything… We are talking about incredible sums of money.” Reports have linked him with Saudi Pro League clubs like Al-Nassr, where he could join Cristiano Ronaldo, and even Neom SC, a second-division side set to ascend to the top flight. Meanwhile, Major League Soccer’s San Diego FC has also been mentioned as a potential destination, though earlier rumours of a deal were downplayed. Turkish side Galatasaray has reportedly emerged as another contender, eyeing the Belgian as a free agent.
For now, De Bruyne remains focused on ending his City career on a high. With the team still in contention for the FA Cup—facing Nottingham Forest in the semi-final this month—and set to compete in the Club World Cup, there’s a chance for one final piece of silverware. City are also preparing to face Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday, a match that could see De Bruyne add to his legacy.
As Manchester City prepare to bid farewell to their most decorated player, fans will cherish the memories of a player who redefined midfield excellence. De Bruyne’s departure marks the end of an era, but his influence on the club—and the Premier League—will be felt for years to come.
