Kevin de Bruyne has announced he will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season.
De Bruyne, 33, has won 16 trophies since joining City from Wolfsburg in 2015, including six Premier League titles and the Champions League in 2023.
Reacting to the news, City manager Pep Guardiola said De Bruyne is “one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in this country”.
The Belgium midfielder has scored 106 goals in 413 appearances for City, who described him as a “global icon of the game”, but he has started just 19 matches this season.
“Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye,” De Bruyne wrote on social media.
And Guardiola admitted: “It was not easy for me to tell him it [his City career] won’t continue.”
In an impassioned post, De Bruyne expanded: “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 for 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, team-mates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.”
