Manchester City midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has confirmed that he will leave the club at the end of the current season, marking the conclusion of a monumental decade at the Etihad Stadium. The 33-year-old Belgian, who has garnered 16 trophies during his time with City—including six Premier League titles and a Champions League win in 2023—made this announcement via social media on April 4.

In his heartfelt message, De Bruyne stated, "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." He reflected on his time with the club, saying, "Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter" Source Reuters.

Since joining City from VfL Wolfsburg in 2015, De Bruyne has transformed into one of the most influential midfielders in football, earning accolades such as the Premier League Player of the Season twice. His remarkable stats include 413 appearances for the club, with 106 goals and 174 assists, making him the second-highest assist provider in Premier League history with a total of 118 assists, trailing only Ryan Giggs.

Manager Pep Guardiola paid tribute to De Bruyne, claiming that he is "one of the greatest midfielders ever to have played" in England. Speaking ahead of City's upcoming fixtures, Guardiola expressed that it is a "sad day" but also acknowledged the contribution De Bruyne has made to the club's success over the past decade Source Channel News Asia.

Despite challenges with injuries affecting his performance in recent seasons, including a notable absence earlier this year, De Bruyne remains an integral part of City's roster as they pursue additional silverware, with an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest slated for April 26. His farewell will be celebrated by fans who recognize his decisive role in reshaping the club's fortunes Source Channel News Asia.

Looking towards the future, speculations about De Bruyne's next move are rife. Preliminary discussions have already occurred with potential clubs, including interest from the Saudi Pro League and Major League Soccer's impending San Diego FC expansion team. While he remains open to opportunities, it is yet to be determined whether De Bruyne will transition to a less demanding league in Europe or continue his career elsewhere Source BBC.

As his Manchester City career wraps up, discussions about a potential statue honoring his contributions loom large, with Guardiola confidently predicting that it is "going to happen." The club plans to pay a fitting tribute to De Bruyne, recognizing his status as one of the all-time greats in the Premier League Source Channel News Asia.