De Bruyne medical booked as Man City legend gets his wish after finding new club
Kevin De Bruyne was let go by Manchester City at the end of the 2024/25 season – and the 33-year-old midfielder has already found a new club, with a medical booked
Kevin De Bruyne is poised to join Napoli on a two-year contract after agreeing terms with the Italian champions. De Bruyne left Manchester City as a free agent after the Premier League club decided not to offer him a new deal.
It was confirmed in early April that the Belgium international would leave City at the end of the season. That has left the 33-year-old plenty of time to decide his next step, with rumoured interest from other Premier League sides and MLS clubs.
But Napoli stepped forward quickly to offer him another pathway and everything is now in place for De Bruyne to join the club. After concluding international duty by scoring a dramatic winner for Belgium in their 4-3 victory against Wales on Monday, De Bruyne got his personal future sorted.
Sky Sports Italy report that he has agreed a two-year contract with Napoli, who will also have an option to extend it, should things go to plan. He will fly to Naples on Thursday to undergo his medical and has already bought a house for his family to move into, according to club president Aurelio De Laurentiis.
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He told Rai last month: “I believe he has already bought a beautiful villa. This morning I had a video chat with him, his wife and their 9-year-old boy and it was a lovely picture.”
His move to Napoli appears to be a great fit for De Bruyne, who believes he still has plenty to offer at the top level in Europe. That is an opinion clearly not shared by City, who graciously ushered him towards the exit this summer as part of a rebuild conducted by Pep Guardiola.
There was a telling hint in De Bruyne’s emotional farewell statement which contained the line: “Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye”. He leaves City safe in the knowledge that his status as a club legend is assured.
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His record of 108 goals and 177 assists in 422 appearances, along with 16 trophies – including six Premier League titles and the Champions League – means he is deserving of Guardiola calling him “one of the greatest midfielders to ever play in this country”.
He is a part of an ambitious transfer window at Napoli, with the club keen to strengthen their squad after winning Serie A under Antonio Conte. The club are one of five said to be chasing Manchester United winger Alejandro Garnacho and are ready to splash the cash, with United valuing him at £70million.
De Bruyne will join up with his long-time Belgium team-mate Romelu Lukaku, as well as ex-United midfielder Scott McTominay, who enjoyed a fantastic debut campaign in Italy, and ex-Chelsea talent Billy Gilmour.
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Sky Sports discounted Premier League and EFL package
Sky has slashed the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, saving members £192 and offering more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more.
Sky will show at least 215 live Premier League games next season, an increase of up to 100 more.
