Manchester City legend and midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has officially confirmed that he will leave the club after his contract expires at the end of the ongoing 2024–25 season. The development is a huge setback for Pep Guardiola’s team, with De Bruyne having been a key figure in Manchester City’s record-breaking success in the last decade.
The 32-year-old Belgian international confirmed the news in an emotional post on the social media site X (formerly Twitter), writing directly to the club and its supporters.
De Bruyne Bids an Emotional Farewell
“Dear Manchester,” De Bruyne posted, “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.”
Dear Manchester. 💙 pic.twitter.com/2EdhVYOLti
— Kevin De Bruyne (@KevinDeBruyne) April 4, 2025
He 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. 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 kid’s passports and, more importantly, in each of our hearts.”
A Historic Legacy at City
De Bruyne has played 413 times and netted 106 goals for the club in all competitions since signing from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015. He played a key role in City winning six Premier League titles and their first UEFA Champions League trophy. His efforts also contributed to Manchester City winning a historic treble in the 2022–23 campaign.
“Football led me to all of you and to this city,” he added. “Every story comes to an end but this has definitely been the best chapter. Let’s enjoy these last moments together.”
De Bruyne has played only 19 matches this season, fueling speculations regarding his future. Manchester City is now fifth in the Premier League, 22 points behind leaders Liverpool and behind fourth-placed Chelsea by one point.
The club will play arch-rivals Manchester United in the Premier League on Sunday.
