1 year ago
34
play
De Bruyne reveals helium had MLS, Saudi Pro League offers earlier Napoli determination (1:27)
Kevin De Bruyne explains wherefore helium chose to articulation Napoli contempt having "loads of offers" for his signature. (1:27)
Reuters
Jul 19, 2025, 12:34 PM ET
Kevin De Bruyne is raring to spell astatine Serie A champions Napoli aft not being offered a declaration hold by Manchester City, and said linking up with compatriot Romelu Lukaku was portion of the appeal.
Regarded arsenic 1 of the top midfielders successful Premier League history, De Bruyne ended a glittering decade-long spell astatine City astatine the extremity of past play and joined Napoli connected a escaped transfer past month.
"I person been successful the Premier League for truthful agelong and successful the extremity I made the determination to spell retired of England," De Bruyne told reporters connected Saturday.
"I person done what I person done and successful the extremity I americium a Man City subordinate for life. It was besides with the mode that it ended for me, I thought, it is clip to find a caller challenge.
"When I had the full task successful beforehand of maine and past the information that I could play successful Italy and inactive play astatine a precocious level was breathtaking for me."
De Bruyne, who turned 34 past month, said helium had overmuch to larn successful Italy, but with Belgium teammate and polyglot Romelu Lukaku by his side, the learning curve looks acold little steep arsenic helium adjusts to Antonio Conte's side.
"Napoli already are champions but they are inactive improving their squad... I americium hoping that I tin assistance the squad turn and I volition besides larn from them, a caller mode of playing, a caller competition," De Bruyne said.
- Man City's caller distant kit inspired by club's archetypal known jersey
- Man City implicit signing of Norwegian starlet Sverre Nypan
- Man United's Marcus Rashford adjacent to Barcelona indebtedness - sources
"Romelu was blessed [about the move], I spoke with him successful the nationalist squad [camp], helium wanted maine to join. I cognize Romelu since we were 13-years-old, truthful we are truly choky together. When we played successful Chelsea we lived unneurotic for 2 oregon 3 months.
"It makes it a small spot easier that I cognize him due to the fact that helium is idiosyncratic who tin construe for maine and it helps due to the fact that helium knows the coach, helium knows the team."
Napoli statesman their 2025-26 Serie A run connected Aug. 13 with a travel to Sassuolo.
