De Bruyne signs with Serie A champion Napoli after 10 seasons at Man City
Two-time Premier League player of the season Kevin De Bruyne signed as a free agent with Serie A champion Napoli on Thursday.
'KING KEV IS HERE,' Napoli declared in a series of posts on X.
The 33-year-old De Bruyne's contract at Manchester City expired. Napoli did not announce the length of his new contract.
Around 150 fans welcomed De Bruyne on his arrival at a clinic in Rome for his medical. They chanted his name before also singing about Napoli being champion after the player had gone into the facility.
At Napoli, De Bruyne will reunite with Belgium teammate Romelu Lukaku. And follow in the footsteps of former Napoli great Dries Mertens, an ex-Belgium international.
In Napoli's midfield, De Bruyne can team with Serie A player of the year Scott McTominay, who made a highly successful move from Manchester United.
Known as one of soccer's most complete midfielders, De Bruyne was named the best player in the Premier League for the 2019-2020 and 2021-22 seasons.
In 10 seasons at City, he helped the English club to six Premier League titles, two FA Cups and a Champions League trophy.
The addition of De Bruyne may have been one of the reasons that convinced Napoli coach Antonio Conte to stay on for another season after considering rejoining Juventus.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
Liverpool Set To Break The Bank For Florian Wirtz, Compared To Lionel Messi By Xabi Alonso
The golden boy of German football is set to become the new prince of the Premier League as Florian Wirtz prepares to join Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen for a club-record fee. Fresh from winning a 20th English top-flight title, Arne Slot's Reds have broken the bank to land a rising star already labelled as one of the world's best by former Reds midfielder and Wirtz's former coach Xabi Alonso. British media reported on Friday that the Premier League champions had agreed a club-record deal worth up to GBP 116 million (USD 157 million) to secure the services of the attacking midfielder. Liverpool can now agree personal terms with a player coveted by a number of top European clubs. Wirtz's abundant potential as a teenager sparked a row between his hometown club Cologne and Leverkusen five years ago when Leverkusen, who are backed by pharmaceutical giants Bayer, swooped to sign him at 17. Cologne argued that a gentleman's agreement not to poach youth team players had been violated, but Leverkusen said Wirtz was a first-team signing and within months he had made his Bundesliga debut. His rise was interrupted by a cruciate knee ligament injury in March 2022 that forced him to miss the next 10 months. By the time he returned, Alonso had been installed as Leverkusen boss and together they would spearhead the club's greatest days. Leverkusen ended Bayern Munich's grip on the Bundesliga in stunning fashion, romping to the title and the German Cup without losing a single match in the 2023/24 season. Wirtz netted his first career hat-trick on the day the title was sealed against Werder Bremen, on his way to being crowned Bundesliga player of the year. "Flo is one of the top players in the world, he's world class," said Alonso, who compared his protege to Lionel Messi in terms of his understanding of the game. "Why is Messi so good? Because he knows how and when to play simple passes. Messi says: 'You're in a better position? Here, there you have the ball'," said Alonso, a hero of Liverpool's 2005 Champions League triumph. "It's not always about making the most brilliant move, but the best and smartest. Florian can do that. That's why he's so good." 'The full package' Both star player and coach committed to staying with the Leverkusen project for another 12 months, but defeat in the Europa League final to Atalanta to round off the 2023/24 campaign was a sign of things to come. Bayern restored their grip on the German game last season but could not convince Wirtz to follow the lead of many others in joining from their Bundesliga rivals. Instead, he made it clear his preference was a move to the Premier League champions and the chance to add his name to Liverpool's cast of legends. "A huge talent, huge future in front of him, so Liverpool is the place for him," said the club's former captain Steven Gerrard. Despite 57 goals and 65 assists in 197 games for Leverkusen, Wirtz will begin life at Anfield in the shadow of Mohamed Salah. But the Reds are banking on Wirtz's creativity to help maintain the 32-year-old's prolific goalscoring numbers and ease the burden of carrying the Liverpool attack. The club's previous record signing, £85 million recruit Darwin Nunez, has failed to deliver and could be sold to help recoup some of their major outlay on new faces. Liverpool will hope Wirtz can handle the pressure of his price tag and the physicality of the Premier League to ensure there is no second season slump under Slot. Former Germany head coach Hansi Flick is in no doubt about what the midfielder has to offer. "He's simply an outstanding technician, loves to play, is very creative, has a good shot, runs hard and is quick," he said. "He's the full package."
NDTV
an hour ago
- NDTV
"My Decision Shows...": Matheus Cunha's Big Statement After Joining Manchester United
Matheus Cunha says he is determined to help Manchester United bounce back from their worst league season in 51 years after becoming the club's first major signing of the transfer window. The 20-time English champions are undergoing a rebuild under Ruben Amorim after limping home 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to fellow strugglers Tottenham. Defeat in Bilbao cost them Champions League qualification, meaning United will spend a first season without European football since 2014/15. But the Red Devils' issues did not deter Brazil international Cunha, who completed his £62.5 million ($85 million) switch from Wolves on Thursday. "It is the most common phrase that you can say at this moment, but this is the dream come true," the 26-year-old told MUTV. "Maybe outside, I think maybe my decision, they don't understand. But when you have always dreamed to play here, it's easier to pick this decision. "For me, no one else is like United. Of course, I know it's been a hard season for everyone. I think my decision shows what this club is for me and what I believe this club can be. "And, of course, I'll do everything that I can to manage this inside of me, to play for my dream team and put my dream team to win." Cunha followed United growing up and spoke of his admiration for Wayne Rooney, along with many other members of the triumphant 2008 Champions League side. The Red Devils have tumbled out of Europe's elite in recent years but the forward has lofty ambitions. "I don't think we have one player who comes here and then doesn't think about the glory days in Man United," Cunha said. "To remember all the times that they win the Premier League, how many titles it was, and of course to qualify for the Champions League. This is what I think about United, you know to put this club on top. "Then what I can do is everything to show them I'm here to help the team, to conquer these kind of things." Cunha scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season, winning the Premier League club's players' player of the year award. He will add his predatory instincts and creative guile to a United attack that struggled throughout this season. The striker helped his country qualify for the World Cup earlier this week when he set up the only goal for Vinicius Junior in a 1-0 win over Paraguay.
News18
2 hours ago
- News18
Matheus Cunha Ready To 'Do Anything To Help My Dream Team' Manchester United Win
Last Updated: Cunha joined Manchester United for £62.5 million, aiming to help the club recover from their worst league season in 51 years and restore their glory days. Matheus Cunha is committed to helping Manchester United recover from their worst league season in 51 years after becoming the club's first significant signing of the transfer window. The 20-time English champions are rebuilding under Ruben Amorim after finishing 15th in the Premier League and losing the Europa League final to Tottenham. Their defeat in Bilbao also cost them Champions League qualification, meaning United will face their first season without European football since 2014/15. Despite the club's struggles, Brazil international Cunha, who completed his £62.5 million ($85 million) move from Wolves on Thursday, was not dissuaded. Matheus Cunha exclusive first interview as a Manchester United player 🎬 — 曼联球迷 (@_Utdbaki) June 13, 2025 'This is a dream come true," the 26-year-old told MUTV. 'Maybe people outside don't understand my decision, but when you've always dreamed of playing here, it's easier to make this choice. For me, no other club is like United. I know it's been a tough season for everyone, but my decision shows what this club means to me and what I believe it can achieve. 'I'll give everything to help my dream team win." Cunha grew up following United and admired Wayne Rooney and other members of the 2008 Champions League-winning squad. Although United has recently fallen from Europe's elite, Cunha has high aspirations. 'No player comes here without thinking about United's glory days," Cunha said. 'Remembering all their Premier League titles and qualifying for the Champions League is what I think about. I want to help put this club back on top." Cunha scored 17 goals in all competitions for Wolves last season, earning the club's Player of the Year award. He will bring his goal-scoring instincts and creativity to a United attack that struggled this season.
