Manchester City announce plans for fifth statue outside Etihad Stadium | OneFootball

Manchester City have confirmed plans to unveil a fifth statue outside of the Etihad Stadium in light of Kevin De Bruyne’s departure from the club this summer.

The Belgium international will be calling time on his stay at Manchester City after 10 years this summer, after a decision was made internally within the club not to offer the player renewed terms on his expiring contract.

As such, Kevin De Bruyne and his young family will be free to start a new chapter in their lives with a fresh footballing opportunity for the 33-year-old, as he leaves City on a free transfer – expected to take place before the FIFA Club World Cup.

In the final days of De Bruyne’s City career, the club have been working on lasting memories of arguably their greatest-ever player, and following his final appearance at the Etihad Stadium, an exciting announcement was unveiled to both the midfielder and supporters.

Confirmed to fans during a special tribute to the Manchester City career of Kevin De Bruyne following his final outing at the Etihad on Wednesday night, a statue will be erected of the Belgian midfielder at the club’s home in the future.

Reacting to the news, De Bruyne told the crowd within the stadium, “It means I will always be part of this club.”

He added, “Whenever I come back with family and friends, I will be able to see myself so I will always be here.”

The iconic playmaker will become the seventh player to be immortalised via a statue outside of the Etihad Stadium, after legends of the past in Colin Bell, Francis Lee, and Mike Summerbee were remembered outside of the club’s main stand.

That statue also followed individual recognitions in the form of statues depicting memorable moments created by former captains Vincent Kompany and David Silva, as well as the club’s greatest-ever striker, Sergio Aguero.

For now, it remains to be seen what iconic moment will be used to mark Kevin De Bruyne’s time at the club in the form of a statue, and also at what point of the Etihad Stadium the artwork will be positioned.