Manchester City have announced that they will "deliver a fitting tribute and farewell" to club legend Kevin De Bruyne, who has confirmed that he will be leaving the club at the end of the season.
The Belgium international, who turns 34 at the end of June, posted a social media statement on Friday announcing that he will leave the Etihad Stadium when his contract expires in the summer.
De Bruyne, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of his generation, is bringing an end to an illustrious 10-year career at Man City, who he joined from Wolfsburg for a reported £54.5m back in 2015.
"Manchester City will bid an emotional farewell to Kevin De Bruyne this summer when his contract expires, bringing an end to a glittering 10-year period at the club," a club statement read.
"The Belgian, a global icon of the game, has played 413 matches for City. During that period, he has scored 106 times, making him the first City midfielder since Colin Bell to reach a century of goals.
"The 33-year-old has won a remarkable 19 major honours with City, including six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups, one UEFA Champions League, one FIFA Club World Cup, one UEFA Super Cup and three Community Shields.
"Kevin announced the news today on his personal Instagram account. The club and all of our fans will now take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to one of the greatest players to ever play in the Premier League."
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Guardiola: 'The last decade would not be possible to imagine without De Bruyne'
De Bruyne's announcement was made public shortly before Pep Guardiola sat down for his pre-match press conference ahead of Sunday's Premier League showdown with rivals Manchester United at Old Trafford.
Reacting to the news of De Bruyne's exit, Guardiola said: "A sad day, and it's a happy day for the fact of the pleasure that I live this time that I have with him.
"He gave all of us his humanity and of course his influence in all our success. The last decade would not be possible to imagine without him.
"It's a sad day that one of us is leaving. Vincent [Kompany] left, Sergio [Aguero] left, David Silva left. I could say more names. It's a sad time and a sad day.
"Still we have six games at home and he can enjoy with our fans, and I'm sure he will get the love and recognition from all of us and fans of course that deserves."
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Guardiola: 'De Bruyne is one of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country'
"One of the greatest midfielders ever to have played in this country, and I think with Man City there's no doubt," Guardiola added. "Greatest or not the greatest, always you have to be careful with players that played at Maine Road, incredible players in the last 20, 30 years in this club.
"But come on, there's no doubt he's one of the greatest for sure because of his consistency in important games, not important games, being there every three days all the time. That is no doubt."
Asked if he feels that now is the right time for De Bruyne - who has struggled with fitness issues in recent seasons - to seek pastures new, Guardiola said: "What is important is that he feels good right now.
"We spoke recently, lately, that he had problems but now he feels, finally, because after surgery in hamstring he had problems in other parts of the body, but now he feels ready.
"The decision is made, and of course all of us wish him, [his wife] Michelle, the kids, mum and dad, absolutely the best."
Guardiola has confirmed that he found out about De Bruyne's decision to leave "days ago", but he has admitted that he does not know exactly when the playmaker will depart the club.
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Will De Bruyne play for Man City at Club World Cup?
De Bruyne's current contract is due to expire on June 30 midway through this summer's newly-expanded FIFA Club World Cup in the United States.
In December, FIFA placed the onus on clubs competing at the tournament to find a resolution for players with expiring contracts, encouraging them "to find an appropriate solution to facilitate the players' participation."
"It's a good question, I don't know," Guardiola said when discussing if De Bruyne will remain at City for the Club World Cup. "I think he has to decide, we have to talk, because now with the World Cup it's new, and the expiry of contract.
"Hopefully he can continue playing football in another place, and it depends on the risk of playing there, the contracts, injuries, or the future.
"Honestly, I don't know. I think the club has to talk to him or he has to say what he wants to do."
De Bruyne is in contention to make his 22nd and final Manchester derby appearance this weekend when the Citizens lock horns with Ruben Amorim's Man United in the Premier League.
Oliver Thomas
