De Bruyne Joins Napoli After Decade at Man City

Kevin De Bruyne, formerly a midfielder for Manchester City, has signed with Serie A champions Napoli as a free agent this Thursday.

De Bruyne is set to be coached by Antonio Conte, previously with Chelsea and Tottenham, who is now in charge at Napoli.

Turning down an offer from Major League Soccer’s Chicago Fire, De Bruyne opted for the Italian team, giving him the opportunity to compete in the Champions League next season.

During his ten-year tenure at City, De Bruyne secured 14 major titles, including six Premier League championships and the UEFA Champions League in 2023, following his arrival from Wolfsburg in 2015.

He was twice honored as the PFA Players’ Player of the Year, in the 2019/20 and 2020/21 seasons.

De Bruyne’s 118 assists place him second in Premier League history. He has also scored 106 goals in 413 appearances for City.

De Bruyne’s contract with City concluded at the close of last season. Reports indicated that the Premier League club chose not to offer him an extension.

Napoli, who claimed their second Serie A title in three years after a close contest with Inter Milan, celebrated the acquisition of the 33-year-old with a picture of De Bruyne on a throne, captioned “King Kev is here”.

Napoli also posted on X, stating, “Kevin is proud to be one of us!”.

The Belgium captain played in 40 matches for City across all competitions last season, contributing six goals and eight assists, and aiding their qualification for the upcoming Champions League, despite a thigh injury in September.

De Bruyne received a heartfelt farewell from his teammates and manager Pep Guardiola during his final match at the Etihad Stadium against Bournemouth, which City won 3-1.