Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season.
The Belgium midfielder joined City in 2015 and has been a mainstay of their success, winning six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and one Champions League.
But injuries have diluted his influence over the past two seasons and he confirmed in a post on X that he would soon be departing the Etihad.
Dear Manchester. 💙 pic.twitter.com/2EdhVYOLti
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) April 4, 2025
He wrote: “Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. 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!
“Much love, KDB.”
177 – Of players to make 50+ appearances in the Premier League, Kevin De Bruyne has the best minutes per assist ratio in the competition's history (177). Unparalleled. pic.twitter.com/qOoz19nqAs
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) April 4, 2025
De Bruyne’s announcement appeared to have caught City out with no accompanying story on their social media channels and it has been reported the defending Premier League champions had not initiated talks with the former Chelsea and Wolfsburg man over a new deal.
Separate reports this morning claimed De Bruyne, who turns 34 in June, would be open to joining Neom SC, who play in the Saudi Arabian second division, for next season.
He has also been linked with clubs in Major League Soccer.
Wherever he ends up, he leaves the Premier League as one of the all-time greats, having made 413 appearances for City, registering 106 goals and 174 assists.
A four-time City player of the season, he was also named in the Premier League’s Team of the Year five times, UEFA’s Team of the Year three times and named PFA Players’ Player of the Year twice.
He came third in voting for the 2022 Ballon d’Or.
City finally acknowledged De Bruyne’s exit in a statement on their website, which read: “Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the Club.
“The Belgian, a global icon of the game, has played 413 matches for City.
“During that period, he has scored 106 times, making him the first City midfielder since Colin Bell to reach a century of goals.
“The 33-year-old has won a remarkable 18 major honours with City, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and two Community Shields.
“Kevin announced the news today on his personal Instagram account.
“The club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League.”
