Kevin De Bruyne Joins Manchester City Legends As the Club Honours Him With Grand Gesture

Manchester City Grand Gesture for Kevin De Bruyne After Emotional Etihad Farewell.

Manchester City ace midfielder Kevin de Bruyne announced fairly recently that he will be leaving the club at the end of this season. With the last home match of the season concluded, De Bruyne bid farewell to the fans, coach, his teammates, and everyone else at the club.

Following that, the club officially announced that they will commission a statue of the player. The confirmation came after City’s 3-1 win over Bournemouth in their final home match this season. Thus, marking the end of the Belgian’s legendary 10-year career at Man City as he appeared for the last time in the sky blue jersey at the Etihad Stadium.

‘You and I are gonna live forever’ 🎶🩵👑 pic.twitter.com/zMvkZrf4E7
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 21, 2025

With the statue to be built in honour, he joins the list of a few City icons. He will be the seventh player having been immortalised in statue form outside the Etihad along with Vincent Kompany, David Silva and Sergio Aguero. De Bruyne, 33, was given a hero’s send-off in his last match at th Etihad.

He received a guard of honour and emotional video tributes from family, team-mates and club legends. He addressed the crowd after the match, saying, “Manchester is home, Manchester is where these little kids are born… It’s been an absolute honour to play with these guys… we love you, and see you soon!”

Also Read: Pep Guardiola Hails Claudio Echeverri’s Dangerous Play and Fresh Mindset Ahead of the Bournemouth Clash

The midfielder played 421 games for the club, scoring 108 goals and providing 177 assists. He won six Premier League titles and the Champions League with Man City. There has been no news other than a few rumours about his future. However, with the transfer window set to open soon, it could come sooner rather than later.

Kevin de Bruyne – “I Will Always Be Part of This Club”

Speaking to Matchday Live, De Bruyne reflected on the honour: “It means I will always be part of this club. Whenever I come back with family and friends, I will be able to see myself so I will always be here.” In addition to the statue, De Bruyne received a framed signed shirt, a lifetime season ticket.

He was also honoured with a mosaic at the City Football Academy, joining other club legends, such as Ilkay Gundogan and Yaya Toure in receiving these honours. The night was filled with celebrating the club legend that De Bruyne has become. It was also emotional for everyone saying farewell to him.

Also Read: Erling Haaland Funds €5,000 To Help Fans Create Special Kevin De Bruyne Tifo at FA Cup Final

However, the question regarding his next destination remains uncertain. He announced his exit in April. Speculation about his future has grown since then. He has been linked with big teams like Liverpool, Real Madrid, and more. However, reportedly, MLS side Chicago Fire are leading the chase.

A Lasting Legacy at Manchester City

As City chase another top five league finish, De Bruyne’s departure marks the end of an era. His presence helped define a decade of dominance under Pep Guardiola. Now the club’s grand gesture cements his legacy alongside their all-time greats. Where he plays next may still be unknown, but his imprint on Manchester City will be permanent.

Kevin De Bruyne

Manchester City

Moumita Dutta

soccer

Football writer at The Playoffs. I’ve been obsessed with the beautiful game since I was a kid.. Eventually, I realized I could combine my passion for writing with my love for football, and I’ve never looked back. My favorite part of the job is everything—when you’re doing what you love, even a late-night deadline feels like extra time in a thrilling cup final. Lastly, Lionel Messi is the GOAT.