Kevin De Bruyne (Part 1)

Kevin De Bruyne, born on June 28, 1991, is a Belgian footballer widely acclaimed as one of the premier players of his generation and among the finest midfielders globally. Known for his versatility and exceptional skills, pundits often laud him as a complete footballer.
De Bruyne commenced his senior professional career at Genk, where he played a pivotal role in their triumph in the 2010–11 Belgian Pro League. Subsequently, he transferred to English side Chelsea in 2012, although his opportunities were limited, leading to a loan spell at Werder Bremen. His career ascended when he joined Wolfsburg for 18 million in 2014, earning plaudits for his performances in the Bundesliga and contributing significantly to the club's DFB-Pokal victory in the 2014–15 season.


De Bruyne made a groundbreaking move to Manchester City for a then-club record fee of £54 million. Since then, he has been an instrumental figure in City's success, securing numerous trophies including the UEFA Champions League, Premier League titles, League Cups, and FA Cups.
De Bruyne's achievements at Manchester City include being pivotal in their record-breaking 2017–18 Premier League season, where the club amassed 100 points. Notably, he equaled the record for most assists in a Premier League season in 2019–20 and was honored with the Player of the Season award twice.


De Bruyne made his debut for Belgium in 2010 and has since earned over 90 caps, scoring 26 goals. He played significant roles in Belgium's campaigns at the 2014 FIFA World Cup, UEFA Euro 2016, and the 2018 FIFA World Cup, where he was named in the Dream Team. Additionally, he represented Belgium at UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.
Throughout his illustrious career, De Bruyne has been recognized with numerous accolades, including selections in various prestigious teams such as the UEFA Champions League Squad of the Season, IFFHS Men's World Team, and the FIFA FIFPRO World 11. He has also clinched individual awards such as the PFA Players' Player of the Year, Manchester City's Player of the Year, and the UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season multiple times, reaffirming his status as one of the best in the world.


Kevin De Bruyne's football journey commenced in 1997 with his hometown club KVV Drongen. He then moved to Gent two years later before joining Genk in 2005. At Genk, he honed his skills in the youth system and eventually earned promotion to the first team squad in 2008. Despite his youth, De Bruyne quickly showcased his talent and became a vital part of the team.
His debut for the first team came in a match against Charleroi on May 9, 2009, although it ended in a 3–0 defeat. However, De Bruyne's capabilities were evident, and he soon became a regular starter for Genk. He netted his first goal for the club on February 7, 2010, securing a crucial 1–0 victory against Standard Liège.


During the 2010–11 season, De Bruyne's contributions were pivotal as Genk clinched the Belgian championship for the third time in their history. He scored five goals and provided 16 assists in 32 league appearances, demonstrating his significant influence on the team's success.
De Bruyne's stellar performances continued, highlighted by notable achievements such as his first hat-trick for Genk against Club Brugge on October 29, 2011. He also showcased his versatility by scoring braces and assisting goals, further solidifying his reputation as a rising talent.


Despite his impending transfer to Chelsea, De Bruyne remained committed and ended his tenure at Genk on a high note, contributing goals and assists until the very end of the season. His impressive tally of eight goals from 28 appearances underscored his impact on the team's attacking prowess.
De Bruyne time at Genk served as a crucial phase in his development, laying the foundation for his subsequent success at the highest levels of football.During the 2014–15 season, Kevin De Bruyne showcased his exceptional talent and versatility with impressive performances for Wolfsburg.


His first goal of the season came on October 2, 2014, when he volleyed in a clearance from outside the box to salvage a 1–1 draw against Lille in the Europa League. In the subsequent Europa League match against Krasnodar on October 23, De Bruyne shone brightly, scoring twice to secure Wolfsburg's first win in the competition with a 4–2 victory.
On January 30, 2015, De Bruyne played a pivotal role in Wolfsburg's 4–1 home win against Bayern Munich, scoring another brace and inflicting Bayern's first Bundesliga defeat since April 2014. His exceptional form continued on March 1, 2015, as he provided three assists in a 5–3 victory over his former club, Werder Bremen.


In the Europa League round of 16 first leg match against Internazionale on March 12, 2015, De Bruyne once again displayed his scoring prowess by netting two goals in a 3–1 victory. Just three days later, he scored a goal and provided two assists in a 3–0 win over SC Freiburg.
De Bruyne's remarkable season culminated in him setting a new Bundesliga record with 21 assists, along with 10 goals, as Wolfsburg finished second in the league and secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League. Additionally, he played a crucial role in Wolfsburg's 3–1 victory over Borussia Dortmund in the 2015 DFB-Pokal Final on May 30, 2015, scoring a goal in the process.
His outstanding performances throughout the season earned him the prestigious title of the 2015 Germany Footballer of the Year, solidifying his status as one of the top midfielders in Europe at the time.


Kevin De Bruyne continued to showcase his talent for Wolfsburg, starting with a significant contribution in the DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich. He provided the crucial cross for Nicklas Bendtner's late equalizer in the 89th minute, securing a 1-1 draw, and then went on to score in the subsequent penalty shootout, helping Wolfsburg clinch the title.
De Bruyne's good form carried into the first round of the DFB-Pokal on August 8, 2015, where he scored a goal and provided two assists in Wolfsburg's 4-1 victory over Stuttgarter Kickers.
Despite his impressive performances, De Bruyne found himself amidst transfer speculation, with interest from Manchester City looming large. He made it clear that while he wouldn't force Wolfsburg to sell him, he couldn't ignore the opportunity to join a club like Manchester City if the offer was right for him and his family.


Reports emerged on August 10, 2015, suggesting that Manchester City had made a second bid for De Bruyne, this time worth £47 million. Wolfsburg's sporting director, Klaus Allofs, acknowledged the interest from other clubs and expressed the club's determination to retain De Bruyne.
As the transfer saga unfolded, Manchester City reportedly made another bid for De Bruyne on August 27, 2015, this time worth 58 million. Allofs commented on the significant wage offer made by City to De Bruyne, describing it as astonishing. The negotiations intensified, with De Bruyne's future hanging in the balance as the transfer window approached its conclusion.


Following his arrival at Manchester City on August 30, 2015, Kevin De Bruyne quickly made an impact on the team. He debuted for Manchester City in the Premier League on September 12, 2015, against Crystal Palace, coming on as a substitute for the injured Sergio Agüero. Just a week later, on September 19, he scored his first goal for the club in a match against West Ham United.De Bruyne continued to impress, scoring goals in subsequent matches, including a League Cup fixture against Sunderland on September 22 and a Premier League clash with Tottenham Hotspur on September 26. His contributions were pivotal as Manchester City secured victories in these matches and continued their campaign with impressive performances.

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