Kevin De Bruyne: eight years on since joining Manchester City

• Kevin De Bruyne joined Manchester City on August 30 2015, exactly eight years ago
• The midfielder joined Manchester City for the then club-record fee from Wolfsburg
• We take a look at De Bruyne’s time at Manchester City since joining from the Bundesliga side 

On this day in 2015, Manchester City made a significant move in the transfer market by securing the services of Belgian international Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg. This acquisition marked the beginning of a fruitful partnership that has seen De Bruyne become an integral part of City’s successes over the years.

City was willing to break the bank for De Bruyne, shelling out a then club-record fee, which was estimated to be around £54 million. The 24-year-old Belgian, who arrived in the Premier League with the title of Germany’s Footballer of the Year, put pen to paper on an initial six-year contract, setting the stage for the next chapter of his burgeoning career.

Kevin De Bruyne’s journey to Manchester began in the Drongen district of Ghent, where he first stepped into the professional football arena with Genk. His breakout season in 2010-11 saw him help Genk clinch the Belgian title caught the attention of Chelsea. In January 2012, Chelsea invested £6.7 million to secure his services, but he remained with Genk for the rest of that season before embarking on a season-long loan at Werder Bremen.

READ: How Manchester City won the Premier League title

Kevin De Bruyne during a match for Manchester City in 2015, which was the year he joined the club. | PHOTO: Sky Sports |

De Bruyne made his Chelsea debut in August 2013 during a 2-0 Premier League victory over Hull, making an immediate impact by providing an assist for Oscar’s opening goal. However, his time at Chelsea was marked by limited opportunities, as he made just nine senior appearances for the club before being sold to Wolfsburg in January of the following year.

Chelsea’s then-manager, Jose Mourinho, commented on De Bruyne’s departure, stating, “We know that Kevin didn’t adapt very well to the difficult life a Chelsea player has.” Despite these initial challenges in English football, De Bruyne found his stride in the Bundesliga, establishing himself as one of the brightest talents in world football.

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Upon his arrival at the Etihad Stadium, De Bruyne expressed his desire to win and saw Manchester City as a platform to achieve this goal. Little did he know that his time at City would be defined by numerous triumphs. Since his debut as a substitute in a 1-0 league victory against Crystal Palace on September 12, 2015, De Bruyne has played a pivotal role in City’s success.

During his tenure at City, De Bruyne has helped the club clinch the coveted Champions League trophy, secure five Premier League titles, claim two FA Cups and lift the League Cup on five occasions. His exceptional performances have earned him the PFA Footballer of the Year award twice, showcasing his influence on the English football scene.

Internationally, De Bruyne has represented Belgium with distinction, earning 99 caps and scoring 26 goals. He has been a key figure for his national team, featuring in three World Cup finals tournaments.

In retrospect, Manchester City’s decision to sign Kevin De Bruyne in 2015 has proven to be a masterstroke. His vision, creativity, and ability to change the course of a game have made him one of the most influential midfielders in the world. As he continues to play a vital role for both club and country, De Bruyne’s legacy in the footballing world is secure, and his impact on Manchester City’s success story will be remembered for years to come.