De Bruyne: Napoli project outweighed offers from elsewhere
Despite multiple offers from Europe, Saudi Arabia, and the United States, Kevin De Bruyne was most convinced by Napoli’s project.
Kevin De Bruyne rejected multiple offers from Europe, the United States and Saudi Arabia to join Napoli.
De Bruyne spent 10 years with Manchester City before his free transfer to the reigning Serie A champions.
He scored 72 goals in 288 Premier League appearances, while only Ryan Giggs (162) has more assists in the league than De Bruyne’s 119.
The 34-year-old won six Premier League titles under Pep Guardiola and helped the club win their first Champions League title in 2023.
With his Man City contract running down, De Bruyne had many options on the table to choose from, but he was most convinced by Napoli’s project.
“I had lots of offers. Anywhere in Europe and America and Saudi,” said De Bruyne.
“But in the end, I felt the best [thing to do] was to come here and I think the feeling is very important and I made the decision to try and prove myself to go to Italy and experience a new league.
“I had been in the Premier League for so long. I have done what I have done and in the end I’m a Man City player for life and I think it was also to do with the way that it ended, it was time for me to find a new challenge.
“I think when I had the whole project in front of me and the fact that I could play in Italy and still at a high level, it was exciting for me. I had a project that the club showed me and they wanted to invest in the club.
“They are already champions but they still are improving, you saw that they bought about four or five players, so I think they are building for the future.
“Obviously I am not the youngest anymore but I think I can still give something, so I am hoping that I can help the team grow in a way and that I can also learn from them.”
De Bruyne also said his decision to move to Serie A was swayed by long-time friend and compatriot Romelu Lukaku.
“It was my decision, with my wife and my kids. We knew what we wanted to do as a family,” De Bruyne added.
“Romelu [Lukaku] was happy [here], I was speaking to him with the national team and he wanted me to join. I have known Romelu since we were about 13, so we are really tight.
“We lived together when we played for Chelsea for two or three months so it makes it [the move] a bit easier because I know somebody who can translate for me and help me around because he knows the coach and the team.”
