Kevin De Bruyne Bids Emotional Farewell to Man City After a Glittering Decade

TDT | Manama

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When Kevin De Bruyne first arrived at Manchester City in 2015 for a then-club record fee, he was labelled by some as a “£60 million reject.” Ten years on, he leaves as one of the greatest to ever grace the Premier League stage.

From Criticised to Crowned
The Belgian midfielder’s early spell in England, marred by limited opportunities at Chelsea, seemed to forecast a career of unfulfilled promise. But at VfL Wolfsburg, he rebuilt his reputation, and City took a chance—one that would redefine their modern era.
“I wanted to reach the highest level possible,” De Bruyne said upon joining. He did just that—and more.

A Playmaker Without Equal
With 118 Premier League assists to date—second only to Ryan Giggs—De Bruyne carved defences open with passes that bordered on genius. In the 2019-20 campaign, he matched Thierry Henry’s record of 20 assists in a single season.
No player has created more chances than De Bruyne since his arrival in 2015. Across all competitions, he’s been involved in 280 City goals, including 174 assists.

Trophy-Laden Legacy
De Bruyne will depart City with six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups (and a possible third this season), and the elusive Champions League triumph of 2023.
"This city, this club, these people gave me everything. I had no choice but to give everything back! And guess what—we won everything," De Bruyne said in a heartfelt message to supporters.

Statue Inevitable
Manager Pep Guardiola hinted at an immortalisation of the Belgian maestro:
"I would bet a lot of money that it’s going to happen. There’s no doubt—he’s one of the greatest, for sure."

An Irreplaceable Figure
In an era of sweeping change and relentless ambition at the Etihad, De Bruyne was the enduring heartbeat.
“Everyone can make actions, but over how many years and games? That’s what makes him unique,” Guardiola added. “He’s been involved in every single trophy.”

As the curtain falls on his decade in sky blue, Kevin De Bruyne doesn’t just leave as a club legend—he walks away as one of the Premier League’s all-time greats.