City legend De Bruyne joins Napoli as free agent

Kevin De Bruyne has joined Serie A champions Napoli arsenic a escaped agent, the nine announced connected Thursday.

Sources told ESPN that De Bruyne was the subject of interest from clubs successful the Premier League, Germany and MLS, astir notably the Chicago Fire, but opted for Napoli.

The 33-year-old made his last quality for Manchester City against Fulham astatine Craven Cottage connected the last time of the Premier League play aft City opted against extending the Belgium midfielder's contract.

Napoli announced the signing with an representation of De Bruyne sitting connected a throne wearing a crown, captioned "King Kev is here," portion President Aurelio De Laurentiis besides welcomed the signing.

Benvenuto Kevin! pic.twitter.com/0SCeSfY2f2

De Bruyne helped City triumph six Premier League titles and a Champions League rubric during his 10-year stint astatine the Etihad Stadium.

He volition link-up with Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku astatine the Diego Maradona Stadium with Napoli, who won the Serie A rubric with a 2-0 triumph astatine location to Cagliari connected May 23.

City person announced they volition physique a statue of De Bruyne extracurricular the Etihad and, during his last location lucifer -- accompanied by his household -- helium was feted with a post-game defender of honour from the City players and staff.

Napoli won the Serie A rubric past season, contempt selling Khvicha Kvaratskhelia to Paris Saint-Germain successful January, and De Bruyne joins chap erstwhile Premier League players Scott McTominay and Billy Gilmour successful their midfield.

Information from ESPN's Mark Ogden contributed to this report.