Kevin De Bruyne has announced that he will be leaving Manchester City at the end of the season.
The Belgium international’s contract at the Etihad Stadium expires in the summer, and he said on Friday that will leave the club as a free agent.
In his 10 years at the club, he won 16 trophies including six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, two Community Shields and a Champions League.
“Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading,” he said in a post on social media on Friday.
“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.
“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, Michèle, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family. ‘Manchester’ will forever be on our kids’ passports — and more importantly, in each of our hearts.
“This will always be our home.”
De Bruyne joined City as a 24-year-old from Wolfsburg in 2015 and, over the following decade, established himself as one of the Premier League’s greatest ever midfielders.
In 413 appearances for the club, he has scored a remarkable 106 goals and assisted a further 174 assists. He is tied with former Arsenal forward Thierry Henry for the most assists (20) in a single Premier League season.
The 33-year-old has been central to City’s recent era of success, twice winning the Premier League Player of the Year award.
De Bruyne, who has been linked with moves to the MLS and Saudi Pro League, could end his time at City with yet more silverware, with the club playing Nottingham Forest in the FA Cup semifinals later this month.
