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Kevin De Bruyne transfer news: Napoli sign midfielder on free transfer after Manchester City exit
Italian Serie A champions Napoli have officially confirmed the signing of Belgian midfield maestro Kevin De Bruyne on a free transfer, following his departure from English giants Manchester City.
The move comes after City opted not to renew the 33-year-old’s contract, bringing an end to a decade-long spell at the Etihad Stadium. In April, the club announced De Bruyne’s exit, while the player described the decision as purely “a business decision.”
Sources close to the negotiations have disclosed that De Bruyne has penned a two-year contract with the Naples-based club, with the option of an additional year should both parties agree.
The former City playmaker reportedly completed his medical in Rome before meeting with Napoli president Aurelio De Laurentiis to finalize the agreement.
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De Bruyne had attracted serious interest from Major League Soccer (MLS) sides, notably Inter Miami and Chicago Fire. However, he chose to remain in Europe’s elite football scene by joining Napoli, a side currently riding high after their Serie A triumph.
The Belgian international was said to be keen on continuing at the highest competitive level, with the UEFA Champions League being a major motivating factor in his decision.
De Bruyne made his final appearance for Manchester City as a substitute in their 2-0 win over Fulham on the last day of the Premier League season. Last term, he contributed four goals and seven assists in 28 league games.
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Over his 10-year spell in Manchester, the midfield general racked up 422 appearances, netted 108 goals, and registered a staggering 170 assists. His efforts helped City to 19 major honours, including multiple Premier League and Champions League titles.
With De Bruyne now set to join forces with fellow Belgian international Romelu Lukaku, Napoli fans are hopeful the pair can deliver success both domestically and in Europe. The club will be eyeing another strong Serie A campaign and a serious challenge for the UEFA Champions League crown.
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