The Belgian footballer Kevin De Bruyne has bid an emotional farewell to fans after his final home game for Manchester City. After Tuesday evening’s game, De Bruyne, who is leaving the club at the end of the season after 10 years, received a standing.
City won the game against Bournemouth 3-1. After, the final whistle De Bruyne stood in the middle of the pitch and viewed a video featuring the highlights of his time with the club and tributes from former teammates, including Vincent Kompany.
A tearful Kevin De Bruyne said that “Manchester is home, it’s where my kids were born. I came here with my wife to stay … to do what we’ve done as a club. We’ve won everything, we made the club bigger.”
During his time at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne has won six Premier League titles, one Champions League, two English FA Cups and five English League Cups. The Belgian was also named Premier League Player of the Season twice.
The midfielder from Ghent (East Flanders) added that “I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion. I wanted to enjoy football, and I hope everyone enjoyed it too. Everybody has pushed me so hard inside and outside the club to be the best version of myself.”
Manchester City announced that a statue of De Bruyne will be erected outside the club’s Etihad Stadium. On hearing the news Kevin De Bruyne said that “It means I’ll always be part of this club”.
Kevin De Bruyne’s last match for Manchester City will be away at Fulham on Sunday. The 33-year-old has not yet signed for another club.