On This Day: Kevin De Bruyne signed for Manchester City
By James Fudge
Three years ago to the day, a ginger Belgian walked into the City Football Academy and around Manchester as he signed for Manchester City.
In a much-contested transfer spectacle, the club and Manuel Pellegrini signed the former Chelsea player from Wolfsburg, where he consistently impressed when playing in the Bundesliga.
Kevin De Bruyne has gone on and earned superstar status at the club after becoming an integral part of Pep Guardiola’s plans in the middle of the pitch. The chief playmaker has formed a vital attacking force with David Silva in the middle.
His performances last season waxed lyrical from the people in the know and City fans, which earned him multiple personal awards and a candidate for player of the season, only to be beaten by the goalscoring exploits of Mohammed Salah.
But to reach the Centurions mark and win the Premier League will be the highlight for the Belgian after there was much media criticism against the signing of KDB and the club’s fee, all to be based on his performances for Chelsea and ‘park the bus’ Mourinho.
That quickly went in the first season and many pundits were forced to eat their words following last year’s goals and assists.
Many of last season’s highlights are down to club’s star performer, with the goal against Chelsea setting City on their way to the 18 straight win record, while his assists for Leroy Sane against Stoke and Burnley were to marvel at and wonder how he achieved the angles.
You will find many De Bruyne shirts along with Aguero, Kompany and David Silva when you walk around the Eithad Stadium on matchday, earning him hero status in that short space of time.
The Belgian has pulled on the City shirt 145 times throughout the past three seasons, scoring 35 times and becoming the assist king in the Premier League, with 57 altogether. He has become the best player for assists in his first 100 Premier League appearances, assisting 43 times, beating the previous record set by Eric Cantona by four.
He has more than repaid the £55million record fee at the time and earned a new contract last year, believed to have become City’s highest earner. There will be plenty more from him in the coming years following his contract renewal.
However, he and Cityzens will have to be patient in the short-term after he sustained a serious knee injury in training, ruling him out until November.
The day the king returns for his crown, he will be setting his sights on Cristiano Ronaldo and Real Madrid’s European crown, while polishing off the Premier League in the process.