Kevin De Bruyne to leave Man City at end of season

Manchester City’s veteran midfielder Kevin de Bruyne is all set to leave the club at the end of the ongoing season. The Belgian international confirmed the news on his social media platform on Friday.

The talisman won six Premier League titles with the Cityzens, five League Cups, two FA Cup titles. Furthermore, he won the Community Shield on two occasions and also won the Champions League with the Sky Blues.

He has also been named Premier League Player of the Season twice (2019-20, 2021-22).

“Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading,” he said in a post on social media on Friday.

“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.”

City’s manager Pep Guardiola tipped de Bruyne as the best midfielder to have played in the Premier League in the last decade.

“One of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country, and I think with Manchester City, there is no doubt,” Guardiola told a news conference on Friday ahead of Sunday’s Premier League clash at Manchester United.

“Greatest not The Greatest, always you have to be careful with players that played at Maine Road [City’s former stadium], incredible players in the last 20-30 years in this club [too].

“But come on, there’s no doubt he’s one of the greatest for sure because of his consistency in important games, the not important games, being there every three days all the time. There is no doubt.”