Kevin De Bruyne Joins Napoli On Free Transfer After Glittering Decade At Manchester City.
Serie A champions Napoli have announced the signing of Belgian midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with Manchester City. The 33-year-old, widely regarded as one of the Premier League’s finest-ever players, has signed a two-year deal with an option for a third year, marking a new chapter in his illustrious career under Napoli’s head coach, Antonio Conte.
De Bruyne’s move to the Diego Maradona Stadium was confirmed on 12 June 2025, with Napoli unveiling their star acquisition through a striking computer-generated image of De Bruyne seated on a throne wearing a crown, captioned “King Kev is here.” The transfer, which saw De Bruyne reject an offer from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, ensures he will continue to compete in the UEFA Champions League next season, joining former Premier League stars Scott McTominay, Billy Gilmour, and Romelu Lukaku at the Italian club.
The Belgian playmaker, who made 422 appearances for Manchester City, scoring 108 goals and registering 177 assists, leaves the Etihad Stadium as a club legend. Since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015 for £54.5 million, De Bruyne helped City secure 19 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, and the 2023 Champions League, completing a historic Treble. His vision, pinpoint passing, and ability to unlock defences earned him praise from manager Pep Guardiola, who called him the “second-best passer” after Lionel Messi.
De Bruyne’s departure was announced in April 2025, with City opting not to extend his contract, a decision he described as “business.” His final Premier League appearance came against Fulham on 25 May 2025, followed by a guard of honour at his last home match against Bournemouth. City have confirmed plans to erect a statue in his honour outside the Etihad, joining those of Sergio Aguero, David Silva, and Vincent Kompany.
Napoli’s pursuit of De Bruyne began in May 2025, with sporting director Giovanni Manna holding talks in Manchester. The club’s president, Aurelio De Laurentiis, revealed negotiations started three months ago, overcoming competition from Premier League clubs West Ham and Aston Villa, as well as teams in Saudi Arabia and MLS. De Bruyne’s decision was influenced by his desire to remain in Europe, his friendship with Lukaku, and former Napoli star Dries Mertens’ endorsement of life in Naples. Reports also suggest De Bruyne’s wife, Michele Lacroix, visited Naples to explore homes and schools for their three children, with the couple having married in nearby Sorrento in 2017.
The contract, reportedly worth €6 million (£5 million) per season for the first two years and €5 million (£4.2 million) for the optional third, includes a €10 million (£8.4 million) signing bonus. Despite a significant pay cut from his £20 million annual City salary, the deal reflects De Bruyne’s commitment to competitive football. He completed his medical at Rome’s Villa Stuart clinic on 12 June, greeted by chanting Napoli fans.
Conte, who led Napoli to their second Serie A title in three years last season, sees De Bruyne as a pivotal addition to a squad that sold Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain in January. Leicester City manager Enzo Maresca, who worked with De Bruyne at City, praised the move, saying, “Kevin’s championship mentality will elevate Napoli under Conte.”
Fans on X have hailed the transfer, with posts calling De Bruyne a “game-changer” for Napoli and expressing excitement for his link-up with Lukaku. One user wrote, “King Kev in Naples? Serie A just got spicier!” Manchester City have moved swiftly to replace De Bruyne, signing Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan, Rayan Cherki from Lyon, and Rosenborg’s Sverre Nypan for a combined £100 million-plus.
De Bruyne, fresh from scoring a late winner for Belgium against Wales in World Cup qualifiers, is expected to make his Napoli debut after the international break. As he embarks on this new challenge, his arrival signals Napoli’s ambition to dominate Italian and European football, while City fans bid farewell to a transformative figure in their club’s history.
