Kevin De Bruyne bids Manchester City farewell as one of the all-time greats

Manchester City's Kevin De Bruyne celebrates with the trophy after winning the Champions League in 2023. PHOTO: REUTERS

UPDATED Apr 04, 2025, 09:46 PM

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MANCHESTER - When Manchester City signed Kevin De Bruyne for a record fee in 2015, the sceptics wondered if the Belgian who flopped at Chelsea was worth the money, but after a decade of remarkable service he will leave the club as a Premier League great.

Few have had the ability to alter the course of a game like De Bruyne did in his prime as he became the central cog in City's all-conquering side.

But after injuries limited his appearances in the last two campaigns, the 33-year-old De Bruyne has decided to leave the club at the end of the season, with his legacy as one of the league's best ever creative playmakers set in stone.

"Football led me to all of you and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life," De Bruyne said.

"This city, this club, these people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back! And guess what - we won everything."

When the sun sets on his City career, De Bruyne will leave the club second on the list for most Premier League assists (currently on 118) – behind only Ryan Giggs, who needed 22 years to amass 162.