De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free | OneFootball

De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free | OneFootball

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·19 Juli 2025

De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free

Gambar artikel:De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free

Kevin De Bruyne has explained in detail why he decided to join Napoli on a free transfer after his 10-year spell in the Premier League with Manchester City, suggesting that the Partenopei were able to offer him the best ‘all-round’ package of competitive football and a new ‘lifestyle’ for his family.

De Bruyne spoke to the media at his introductory press conference on Saturday, having joined the Partenopei in June and having completed his first week of pre-season training over the last few days.


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Among the topics of discussion at De Bruyne’s first Napoli press conference was his being gifted the club’s iconic no.10 shirt, which had previously been retired in honour of the legendary Diego Maradona, as well as his decision to join Napoli.

Gambar artikel:De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free

Kevin De Bruyne on first day of Napoli pre-season training, July 15, 2025.

Why De Bruyne chose Napoli over MLS and Saudi options

It is believed that De Bruyne had several other options before deciding on Napoli, including in Europe, in Saudi Arabia, and enticingly, in the United States.

However, De Bruyne later decided to move to Campania, where he and his wife were married a few years ago.

“Competetively, it’s a very nice place to be,” De Bruyne told the press when asked why he decided to join Napoli.

“They were champions last year, they showed that they had a lot of quality,” he continued.

Gambar artikel:De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free

Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca in pre-season training with Napoli.

“Obviously it’s something very different to what I had in England, but that’s something that’s also very exciting. I felt that I still had some motivation left and some quality in myself that I can do something at this level. Napoli was a very, very nice choice. Obviously you’ve got some very different weather that’s very different to England.

“The main reason for me is that I wanted to play at the highest level and I think that when the sporting director came to England and proposed what they’re doing and the project around it, it made me excited.

“We looked at everything and I thought this was the best place for me to be.”

De Bruyne then took a chance to reflect on what he achieved in the Premier League, which included six titles. He feels that he will always be welcomed back at the Etihad, but explained that Napoli offered a new way of life, and an exciting project with plenty of investment.

“I’ve been in the Premier League so long and in the end, I made the decision to go out of England, I’ve done what I’ve done and in the end I’m a Man City player for life and I think it was also the way that it ended for me, it’s time to find a new challenge.

Gambar artikel:De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free

LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester City acknowledges the fans after his final game for the team, following the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester City FC at Craven Cottage on May 25, 2025 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Davidson/Getty Images)

“When I had the whole project in front of me and then the fact that I could play in Italy and play at a high, high level was exciting for me.

“I had the project that the club showed me, they wanted to invest in the club and they wanted to move on. They already are champions, but they still are improving the squad. You already saw that they’ve bought about four or five players, so they’re building for the future.

“Obviously I’m not the youngest anymore, but I think that I can still give something, so I’m hoping that I can help the team grow in a way and I will also learn from them: New way of playing, new style, new competition.

“For me, it’s the first time that I’ve been in this situation where I was free. I’ve always had a contract, so it was always easy for me every summer, I was easy, it was good. So I would say the longer the season went on with nothing going on, it was a bit stressful, because it’s a very new situation.

“But then obviously Napoli came, some other teams came, they presented their projects.

Gambar artikel:De Bruyne explains why he chose Napoli after leaving Manchester City for free

Antonio Conte Aurelio De Laurentiis Napoli

“There was a lot of difference in projects, lifestyle, competitiveness, all different types, and I would say the Napoli project for me was all-round the best option for me. The main thing being the competitiveness, but obviously the lifestyle, the sun, it’s very different to what I’m used to, but I’m a football player, I’m very competitive and I think I’m still able to perform at a good level.”

“So as long as I’m still playing football, I want to get the most out of myself and once a day comes that I feel that I’m not able to do it, then maybe I will make another decision. But now, at 34, I still feel I’m able to get a good level out of myself and I’m here to prove that I can do that.”

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