Manchester City star Kevin De Bruyne announces impending exit from club

De Bruyne’s departure marks the end of an era at City. Signed from Wolfsburg in 2015 for a then-club record amount, he quickly established himself as the heartbeat of Pep Guardiola’s side. Over 413 appearances, he has scored 106 goals and delivered 174 assists, helping the club to six Premier League titles, five League Cups, two FA Cups, and a long-awaited Champions League crown in 2023.

With his exit now confirmed, speculation has turned to his next move. A report from talkSPORT indicated that Major League Soccer’s San Diego FC has emerged as the frontrunner to secure the Belgian on a free transfer. 

The expansion club recently made its MLS debut, and De Bruyne's former teammate, Juan Mata, is a current part-owner of the team.

Per talkSPORT, some clubs from Saudi Arabia have expressed interest in De Bruyne, but he "wishes to pursue a move stateside."

Back in Manchester, the club is preparing for life after De Bruyne. Guardiola has frequently praised his captain's influence, recently describing him as one of the finest players to ever wear the City shirt. There are growing calls among fans for the club to honor his legacy with a statue at the Etihad.