Belgian international midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has completed a free transfer to Italian champions S.S.C. Napoli, following his departure from Manchester City after a decorated ten-year spell with the Premier League club.
Napoli announced the signing of the 33-year-old on Thursday, welcoming him with a computer-generated image on social media of De Bruyne on a throne with the caption, “King Kev is here.” The move will see the playmaker link up with former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte and will allow him to continue competing in the UEFA Champions League next season. It is understood that De Bruyne rejected an offer from Major League Soccer club Chicago Fire to make the move to Italy.
De Bruyne’s departure from Manchester City, which was announced before the end of the 2024-25 season, brings to a close a remarkably successful era. After joining from Wolfsburg in 2015, he won 19 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and the club’s first Champions League title in 2023 as part of a historic Treble.
“It’s been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I had with everything that happened here. It’s been an unbelievable ride and an absolute pleasure,” De Bruyne said recently of his time at City. “It was a joy working really hard to try and help create something that brought the club the success we enjoyed. I’m super proud to have played a part in that. Manchester has been my home and my family’s home for these past 10 years.”
The Belgian bid an emotional farewell to supporters at the Etihad Stadium following his final home league match against Bournemouth in May.
He joins a Napoli side that secured the Serie A title in a thrilling conclusion to last season and now counts former Premier League midfielders Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour among its ranks. Manchester City, meanwhile, have already moved to reinforce their midfield following De Bruyne’s exit, completing deals for Tijjani Reijnders from AC Milan and Rayan Cherki from Lyon.
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