Kevin De Bruyne to leave Manchester City at the end of the season
Kevin De Bruyne has announced his departure from Manchester City when his contract expires in summer 2025, ending a remarkable decade-long journey with the club. Since joining from Wolfsburg in 2015 for approximately $71 million, the Belgian midfielder has established himself as one of the game’s elite playmakers. His announcement sent shockwaves through the footballing world, with fans and pundits alike acknowledging the end of an era for both the player and the club. De Bruyne’s contributions to City’s dominance have been immeasurable, transforming the team into a powerhouse of English and European football.
De Bruyne’s legacy as one of Premier League’s greatest midfielders
Pep Guardiola didn’t mince words when describing Kevin De Bruyne as one of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in English football. The numbers behind this claim are staggering – 118 Premier League assists place him second only to Ryan Giggs in the all-time rankings. Since joining City, he’s created an astonishing 826 chances, nearly 300 more than any other player in the league during that period. His overall City statistics tell an equally impressive story: 106 goals and 174 assists in 413 appearances across all competitions.
De Bruyne’s trophy cabinet reflects his individual brilliance, twice being named Premier League Player of the Season (2019-20, 2021-22) and securing back-to-back PFA Players’ Player of the Year awards in 2019-20 and 2020-21. His vision, passing range, and ability to dictate games have redefined midfield play in the modern era. Even rival manager Ruben Amorim acknowledged his impact, stating: “He was one of the best midfielders in the Premier League. He improved the league.”
The trophy-laden Man City era with De Bruyne
De Bruyne’s time at Manchester City coincided with the club’s most successful period, amassing an impressive 16 major trophies. The centerpiece of this collection is six Premier League titles, with De Bruyne serving as the creative fulcrum for each triumph. City’s long-awaited Champions League victory in 2023 represented the crowning achievement of his career with the club, finally securing the trophy that had eluded them for so many seasons.
| Trophy | Number Won | Years |
|---|---|---|
| Premier League | 6 | 2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23, 2023-24 |
| League Cup | 5 | 2015-16, 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 |
| FA Cup | 2 | 2018-19, 2022-23 |
| Champions League | 1 | 2022-23 |
| Community Shield | 2 | 2018, 2019 |
Beyond these achievements, De Bruyne could still add to his trophy haul this season as City remain in contention for the FA Cup, facing Nottingham Forest in the semifinals. His consistent excellence has been the backbone of City’s domestic dominance, transforming them from challengers to perennial champions.
Injury struggles and the decision to depart
Recent seasons have seen De Bruyne battle persistent injury problems that likely factored into his decision to leave. A severe hamstring tear sidelined him for five months last term, significantly disrupting his rhythm. This season has been equally challenging, with the Belgian making just 21 starts in City’s 47 matches across all competitions.
In his emotional social media announcement, De Bruyne acknowledged the inevitable: “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.” The timing of his announcement allows both player and club to prepare for their respective futures, though it casts a bittersweet shadow over City’s remaining games this season.
De Bruyne’s injury timeline
- August 2023: Hamstring tear requiring surgery, missing five months of action
- January 2024: Return to first-team football
- February-April 2024: Managed appearances due to ongoing fitness concerns
What’s next for De Bruyne after Manchester City
Speculation abounds regarding De Bruyne’s future destination, with both the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer emerging as potential landing spots. His contract expiration creates an interesting situation regarding the Club World Cup, scheduled from June 14 to July 13. City will participate as Champions League winners, but De Bruyne’s contract officially ends in June, leaving his involvement uncertain.
Despite turning 33 and facing recent injury challenges, De Bruyne remains an elite playmaker with several productive years ahead. His brief spell at Chelsea (just 9 appearances) before flourishing at Wolfsburg demonstrates his resilience when facing career transitions. For City, replacing their creative talisman represents perhaps the greatest challenge of Guardiola’s tenure.
- Saudi Pro League options – Following players like Cristiano Ronaldo with lucrative final career moves
- MLS opportunities – Joining the growing list of European stars enhancing the American league
- European contenders – Potentially staying in top-level European football with a reduced physical workload
