Kevin De Bruyne has officially joined Napoli as a free agent following his departure from Manchester City, Serie A champions president Aurelio De Laurentiis confirmed on Thursday.
De Laurentiis, also a film producer, announced the high-profile signing with a photo of himself shaking hands with De Bruyne, captioned: “Welcome Kevin!”
The 33-year-old Belgian midfielder is reported to have signed a two-year contract with an option for a third. At Napoli, he will reunite with international teammate Romelu Lukaku and former Manchester United midfielder Scott McTominay.
De Bruyne leaves City after a glittering decade under Pep Guardiola, during which he won six Premier League titles and helped deliver the club’s first UEFA Champions League crown in 2023. However, his final seasons in Manchester were disrupted by recurring hamstring injuries, limiting his appearances.
Despite those setbacks, De Bruyne remains one of Europe’s elite midfielders. His arrival is seen as a major boost for Napoli as they prepare to defend their Scudetto and compete in the expanded UEFA Champions League next season.
Antonio Conte’s side clinched the Serie A title on the final day of the season, edging out Inter Milan in a dramatic finish. Unlike Inter, who reached the Champions League final but were routed 5–0 by Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli had the advantage of no European commitments — a luxury they won’t have this time.
With De Bruyne’s experience and pedigree, Napoli hope to make a deeper impact both at home and in Europe.
