De Bruyne embracing fresh start at Napoli after Man City departure
Regarded as one of the greatest midfielders in Premier League history, De Bruyne ended a glittering decade-long spell at City at the end of last season and joined Napoli on a free transfer last month.
'I have been in the Premier League for so long and in the end I made the decision to go out of England,' De Bruyne told reporters on Saturday.
'I have done what I have done and in the end I am a Man City player for life. It was also with the way that it ended for me, I thought, it is time to find a new challenge.
'When I had the whole project in front of me and then the fact that I could play in Italy and still play at a high level was exciting for me.'
De Bruyne, who turned 34 last month, said he had much to learn in Italy, but with Belgium teammate and polyglot Romelu Lukaku by his side, the learning curve looks far less steep as he adjusts to Antonio Conte's side.
'Napoli already are champions but they are still improving their squad... I am hoping that I can help the team grow and I will also learn from them, a new way of playing, a new competition,' De Bruyne said.
'Romelu was happy (about the move), I spoke with him in the national team (camp), he wanted me to join. I know Romelu since we were 13-years-old, so we are really tight together. When we played in Chelsea we lived together for two or three months.
'It makes it a little bit easier that I know him because he is somebody who can translate for me and it helps because he knows the coach, he knows the team.'
Napoli begin their 2025–26 Serie A campaign on August 13 with a trip to Sassuolo - REUTERS
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Star
4 hours ago
- The Star
Soccer-New York Jets co-owner Johnson completes purchase of stake in Palace
(Reuters) -New York Jets co-owner Robert Wood "Woody" Johnson has completed his purchase of Eagle Football Holdings' stake in Crystal Palace, the Premier League club said late on Thursday. Johnson had signed a legally binding agreement to buy the stake on June 23 subject to approval. British media had reported the deal to be worth close to 190 million pounds ($256.37 million), with Johnson purchasing a 43% stake in Palace. Johnson, former U.S. Ambassador to the UK, joins chairman Steve Parish, Josh Harris and David Blitzer as a partner and director of Palace. "It is an organisation with a proud history, tradition, and deep roots in English football in South London, which I came to admire during my time as U.S. Ambassador to the United Kingdom ...," Johnson said in a statement. "I look forward to working with him (Parish) and the entire ownership group to build on the club's recent successes and help shape an exciting future for Crystal Palace." ($1 = 0.7411 pounds) (Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Goa; Editing by Peter Rutherford)
Malay Mail
5 hours ago
- Malay Mail
Arsenal sign Valencia defender Mosquera ahead of new Premier League season
LONDON, July 25 — Arsenal yesterday announced the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, taking their spending during the summer transfer window close to £140 million (US$189 million). The Spain under-21 international joins for an initial fee of around £13 million, with performance-related add-ons, and is understood to have agreed a five-year deal with an option of a further year. The 21-year-old, Arsenal's fifth signing in recent weeks, is set to provide cover for William Saliba and Gabriel at the heart of the Gunners' defence, but can operate anywhere along the back line. Mosquera, who played 41 times for Valencia last season, has joined Arsenal for their tour of Singapore and Hong Kong. 'It means a lot to me,' he told the club website. 'There's been a lot of hard work behind all of this. 'It's an opportunity that came up and I couldn't let it pass me by. I'm joining a historic, massive club. When you arrive here with your family, you really feel the greatness of this place.' Manager Mikel Arteta described Mosquera as 'an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides'. Mosquera follows Spain midfielder Martin Zubimendi, goalkeeper Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard and Noni Madueke in moving to the Emirates. Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly have also put pen to paper on new contracts in the off-season, with a long-term extension for teenager Ethan Nwaneri believed to be all but completed. Arsenal remain hopeful of signing striker Viktor Gyokeres from Sporting Lisbon, although it is not believed a deal, which could be worth as much as £65 million, is imminent. The Gunners, who have finished as Premier League runners-up three times in a row, launch their 2025/26 campaign at Manchester United on August 17. — AFP
The Sun
7 hours ago
- The Sun
Arsenal sign Valencia defender Mosquera for £13m
ARSENAL have confirmed the signing of Valencia defender Cristhian Mosquera, bringing their total summer spending close to £140 million. The 21-year-old Spain under-21 international joins for an initial £13 million, with potential add-ons, and has signed a five-year contract with an option for an additional year. Mosquera becomes Arsenal's fifth signing this window, following Martin Zubimendi, Kepa Arrizabalaga, Christian Norgaard, and Noni Madueke. The versatile defender, capable of playing centrally or on either flank, will provide depth behind William Saliba and Gabriel in Arsenal's backline. Having made 41 appearances for Valencia last season, Mosquera has already linked up with the squad for their pre-season tour in Singapore and Hong Kong. 'It means a lot to me,' he told Arsenal's official website. 'There's been a lot of hard work behind all of this. It's an opportunity that came up and I couldn't let it pass me by.' Manager Mikel Arteta praised Mosquera's adaptability, calling him 'an intelligent player with good pace, who can play centrally and on both sides.' The Gunners have also secured new contracts for Gabriel and Myles Lewis-Skelly, with Ethan Nwaneri's extension nearing completion. Despite the flurry of signings, Arsenal remain in talks for Sporting Lisbon striker Viktor Gyokeres, though a deal is not yet imminent. The Gunners begin their Premier League campaign against Manchester United on August 17 - AFP
