Napoli have confirmed the signing of Kevin De Bruyne after his emotional Manchester City exit.
Pep Guardiola broke down in tears as the playmaker waved goodbye to the Etihad following his final game there as a City player last month on the back of a decade-long stay in Manchester.
The club opted against renewing his contract for next season, meaning the Belgian midfielder departed after 10 years that saw him win a wealth of honours including the Champions League and six Premier League titles.
De Bruyne, who played 421 times for the club, missed a sitter in his final game at the ground he called home for so long, blazing his effort on to the crossbar from just yards out. But he did not let that spoil his goodbye after the match.
He was joined by wife Michele Lacroix and their three children – Mason, Rome and Suri – to wave goodbye to those in attendance after City’s game against Fulham, but his new journey has started now.
Napoli confirmed the signing of the 33-year-old on Thursday afternoon, sharing an AI-generated image of ‘King Kev’ sat on a throne.
Napoli have confirmed the signing of Kevin De Bruyne after his Manchester City exit
De Bruyne is believed to have joined the Italian champions on a two-year deal after 10 years at the Etihad
Pep Guardiola broke down in tears as the playmaker waved goodbye to City last month
‘It’s been unbelievable to have the 10 years that I had with everything that happened here,’ De Bruyne said of his City exit. ‘It’s been an unbelievable ride and an absolute pleasure.
‘It was a joy working really hard to try and help create something that brought the club the success we enjoyed. I’m super proud to have played a part in that.
‘Manchester has been my home and my family’s home for these past 10 years.’
De Bruyne was swarmed as he arrived in Italy on Thursday, and is now settling into his new side, donning a Napoli shirt for the first time.
He will play under former Chelsea and Tottenham manager Antonio Conte, and line up alongside the likes of Billy Gilmour and Scott McTominay.
According to Sky Sports, he has penned a two-year deal with the option of a third after being forced out of City.
He completed his medical in Rome with president Aurelio De Laurentiis and posed alongside his new boss following confirmation of his signing.
De Bruyne had also been linked with a move to MLS sides Inter Miami and Chicago Fire, but opted to stay in Europe to continue competing at the highest level and could face City in next season’s Champions League.
The 33-year-old was mobbed as he arrived in Italy to complete his transfer to the country’s champions
He has been on international duty after City opted not to renew his contract at the club
De Bruyne will line up alongside the likes of Scott McTominay (left) and Billy Gilmour (right) in the Napoli midfield
City, meanwhile, have included nearly £114million worth of fresh blood in their squad for the Club World Cup after their four signings in their first transfer window of the summer.
Left back Rayan Ait-Nouri was the first player through the door, with the former Premier League champions forking out £33.7m to sign the Algeria international from Wolves.
Elsewhere, Marcus Bettinelli joined from Chelsea on deadline day for a small fee, along with the arrivals of Rayan Cherki and Tijani Reijnders.
The former joined from Lyon for £34m and is expected to add depth in City’s attacking midfield area. Reijnders, a deeper midfielder, signed on the dotted line for £46m, arriving from AC Milan.