Manchester City have confirmed that they will honour Kevin De Bruyne's glittering 10-year career at the club by commissioning a special statue outside the Etihad Stadium.
The news was confirmed shortly after De Bruyne made his final appearance at the Etihad in Man City's 3-1 victory over Bournemouth in the Premier League on Tuesday night.
De Bruyne, who announced last month that he will be leaving Man City upon the expiration of his contract in the summer, came agonisingly close to marking his final Etihad outing with a goal, but the Belgian playmaker somehow hit the underside of the crossbar from five yards out with an open goal to aim at, either side of strikes from Omar Marmoush and Bernardo Silva in the first half.
Mateo Kovacic and Bournemouth's Lewis Cook were both sent off within the space of five minutes midway through the second half, and Nico Gonzalez sealed maximum points for City by adding a third late on, before Daniel Jebbison's 96th-minute consolation strike.
Victory for Pep Guardiola's Champions League-chasing side has seen them moved up to third in the Premier League table heading into the final day, and they were able to celebrate in style by giving De Bruyne the send-off he truly deserves in front of the Etihad faithful for one final time.
Tributes to King Kev 🩵 pic.twitter.com/j3GYdsLXiA
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 20, 2025
De Bruyne to be honoured with statue outside Etihad Stadium
After receiving a guard of honour from Man City players and staff, De Bruyne walked to the centre circle with his wife and three children for a special on-field ceremony, as chants of his name belted out to the tune of 'Seven Nation Army' by The White Stripes.
With tears in his eyes, an emotional De Bruyne watched a video on the big screen of Man City favourites past and present, as well as his family, sending their messages thanking the playmaker for all he has given to the club over the past decade, leaving him "very emotional".
Reacting to confirmation of him being honoured with a statue, De Bruyne said: "It means I will always be part of this club!
"Whenever I come back with family and friends, I will be able to see myself so I will always be here."
De Bruyne continued with a speech to the Man City supporters, adding: "Manchester is home, Manchester is where these little kids are born.
"I came here with my wife Michele, to stay for a long time, I didn't expect to stay for 10 years, to do what we've done as a club, we've won everything, we've made the city and the club bigger, and now they're going to take over.
© Imago
De Bruyne: "Manchester is my home... I'll be back"
"It's been an absolute honour to play with these guys. I've made so many friends for life, and we'll be back for sure, as soon as whenever.
"I think the best way to describe my life with my wife and my three kids is that we've fitted in perfectly.
"I think we understand where the club has come to, and what this club means to a lot of people. And I think together we've built a big future for you guys, for the club to perform the way this club will perform.
"I know there's been a bit of a tough year for us but I think this team deserves all the support from you guys, I know they're pushing really hard and this team will be back next year, fighting for all the titles - so they deserve this!"
"I think after 10 years, it was about time that somebody let me talk a bit... It's time to say goodbye, I'll be back, but we love you, and see you soon!"
An unbelievable ride 🩵 pic.twitter.com/IZl2xk2Z8b
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 20, 2025
De Bruyne the latest Man City legend to be honoured
De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the Premier League's greatest players, is the latest name who will follow in the footsteps of several other iconic Man City players who have also been recognised with a statue for their seismic contributions to the Citizens.
Four-time Premier League winners Vincent Kompany and David Silva had statues of themselves unveiled outside the Etihad in 2021, a year before all-time record goalscorer Sergio Aguero was given the same honour.
Man City's rich history was further acknowledged in 2023 by the club's latest statue created in honour of legendary trio Colin Bell, Mike Summerbee and Francis Lee, which recognised 30 years of combined service to the Citizens from the 1960s onwards. 
In addition, De Bruyne has been presented with a special mosaic at the City Football Academy by club chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak, the latest tribute in this form for departing players after the likes of Kompany, Silva, Aguero, Joe Hart, Yaya Toure and Ilkay Gundogan, who has since returned to Guardiola's side.
De Bruyne, who recently delivered an update on his future ahead of his departure, is now preparing for what is expected to be his final Man City appearance away against Fulham on the final day of the Premier League season on Sunday.
Oliver Thomas
