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Likely destination emerges as Kevin De Bruyne announces emotional Man City exit
Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City career officially has an end date. The Belgian has confirmed he will depart the defending Premier League champions at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract. GettyDe Bruyne will move on to pastures new at the end of the season[/caption] talkSPORT understands De Bruyne appears set for a move to Major League Soccer, with league newcomers San Diego FC the front-runners for his signature. An interesting link between San Diego and De Bruyne is the fact his former Chelsea teammate Juan Mata is a part owner. Clubs from Saudi Arabia have previously expressed an interest in the Belgian maestro, but it is understood De Bruyne wishes to pursue a move stateside. De Bruyne confirmed the news via an emotional statement on social media. “Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading,” De Bruyne said. “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, Michele 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, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride. De Bruyne confirmed his exit via an emotional statement on social media “Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together.” De Bruyne’s exit will bring an end to a glittering ten-season stint in Manchester. The 33-year-old joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club record fee of £55million. At the time, the figure made De Bruyne the second-most expensive transfer in British history behind Angel Di Maria. De Bruyne proved to be worth every penny and then some, as he went on to lead City to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League. Along with his outstanding trophy haul, De Bruyne holds the record for the most assists by a City player in the Premier League with a whopping 115, 25 more than David Silva. The 33-year-old played a leading role in City’s staggering trophy haul in recent years In total, De Bruyne has registered 106 goals and 174 assists in 413 appearances across all competitions for City. Thanks to his exploits for City, De Bruyne boasts one of the lengthiest lists of individual accolades among Premier League players. He is a two-time Premier League player of the season, a five-time member of the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year and a five-time member of the FIFA FIFPRO World 11. De Bruyne also sits second in the all-time Premier League assists chart with 118, a figure bettered only by Ryan Giggs. In fact, no other Premier League player has provided more assists than the Belgian maestro since he joined City in 2015, with Mohamed Salah’s tally of 85 the next best. He will also depart City eighth in their all-time appearances list. De Bruyne’s imminent departure means there will be no more players remaining from the City squad Pep Guardiola inherited from Manuel Pellegrini as the Belgian was the last one standing. Even if his influence has waned this season having started just 12 league games for City out of the 25 he’s been available for, City boss Guardiola waxed lyrical about the 33-year-old’s impact at the club. “A sad day,” Guardiola said. “A happy day for the fact that the pleasure personally I lived this time with him. What he gave all of us, his humanity and of course I don’t have to say his influence on our success in the last decade. “It would be impossible to imagine that without him. A sad day because a part of us is leaving. When Vincent (Kompany) left or Sergio (Aguero) left or David Silva left, and I would say more names, it is a sad day. “But still we have 10 games and hopefully 11, and six games at home that we can still enjoy with our fans and I’m pretty sure he will get the love and the recognition from all of us that he deserves. Guardiola helped De Bruyne become one of the most devastating midfielders in the worldAFP via Getty “His assists, his goals, His vision in the final third is so difficult to replace. Over how many years and games, that makes him unique. This is a business and important players have to perform well and managers have to perform well. “Any
Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City career officially has an end date.
The Belgian has confirmed he will depart the defending Premier League champions at the end of the season upon the expiration of his contract.
talkSPORT understands De Bruyne appears set for a move to Major League Soccer, with league newcomers San Diego FC the front-runners for his signature.
An interesting link between San Diego and De Bruyne is the fact his former Chelsea teammate Juan Mata is a part owner.
Clubs from Saudi Arabia have previously expressed an interest in the Belgian maestro, but it is understood De Bruyne wishes to pursue a move stateside.
De Bruyne confirmed the news via an emotional statement on social media.
“Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading,” De Bruyne said.
“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, Michele 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, teammates, 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.”
De Bruyne’s exit will bring an end to a glittering ten-season stint in Manchester.
The 33-year-old joined City from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club record fee of £55million.
At the time, the figure made De Bruyne the second-most expensive transfer in British history behind Angel Di Maria.
De Bruyne proved to be worth every penny and then some, as he went on to lead City to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and the Champions League.
Along with his outstanding trophy haul, De Bruyne holds the record for the most assists by a City player in the Premier League with a whopping 115, 25 more than David Silva.
In total, De Bruyne has registered 106 goals and 174 assists in 413 appearances across all competitions for City.
Thanks to his exploits for City, De Bruyne boasts one of the lengthiest lists of individual accolades among Premier League players.
He is a two-time Premier League player of the season, a five-time member of the PFA’s Premier League Team of the Year and a five-time member of the FIFA FIFPRO World 11.
De Bruyne also sits second in the all-time Premier League assists chart with 118, a figure bettered only by Ryan Giggs.
In fact, no other Premier League player has provided more assists than the Belgian maestro since he joined City in 2015, with Mohamed Salah’s tally of 85 the next best.
He will also depart City eighth in their all-time appearances list.
De Bruyne’s imminent departure means there will be no more players remaining from the City squad Pep Guardiola inherited from Manuel Pellegrini as the Belgian was the last one standing.
Even if his influence has waned this season having started just 12 league games for City out of the 25 he’s been available for, City boss Guardiola waxed lyrical about the 33-year-old’s impact at the club.
“A sad day,” Guardiola said.
“A happy day for the fact that the pleasure personally I lived this time with him. What he gave all of us, his humanity and of course I don’t have to say his influence on our success in the last decade.
“It would be impossible to imagine that without him. A sad day because a part of us is leaving. When Vincent (Kompany) left or Sergio (Aguero) left or David Silva left, and I would say more names, it is a sad day.
“But still we have 10 games and hopefully 11, and six games at home that we can still enjoy with our fans and I’m pretty sure he will get the love and the recognition from all of us that he deserves.
“His assists, his goals, His vision in the final third is so difficult to replace. Over how many years and games, that makes him unique. This is a business and important players have to perform well and managers have to perform well.
“Any person can discuss their performance and in this last decade he has been outstanding. We won a lot of trophies and he has been involved in every single one. I think we will remember him. He’s part of this club.
“The club said to him the doors are open for the rest of his life. Whatever he wants to do, he’s part of the family of this club. The impact of some players transcends even what they do on the pitch and Kevin is one of them.”
