Manchester City set to honour legendary midfielder with statue outside Etihad Stadium after deciding against renewal

Manchester City are set to honour Kevin De Bruyne with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium after the club confirmed the midfielder’s upcoming departure last week.

De Bruyne is set to call time on a sensational, trophy-laden 10-year spell in England after announcing the decision on his social media channels last week – following which Manchester City released a statement to confirm the news.

The 33-year-old has led Manchester City to 18 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and a maiden UEFA Champions League – playing through a hamstring injury in the final two months of City’s historic 2022-23 campaign to led Pep Guardiola’s side to a historic treble.

Pep Guardiola mentioned in a press conference prior to City’s goalless draw against local rivals Manchester United on Sunday that the club decided against offering De Bruyne a new contract.

There were reports detailing the reservation amongst officials at the Etihad Stadium over De Bruyne’s faltering fitness in the last 18-24 months, with City deciding against a potential renewal for the Belgian in the end.

De Bruyne was serenaded by the travelling Manchester City fans after the Blues played out a 0-0 draw against Manchester United at Old Trafford.

City are still fighting for a top-four Premier League finish to secure Champions League football for the 2025-26 campaign, with an upcoming FA Cup semi-final battle against Nottingham Forest at Wembley.

De Bruyne will play a crucial role in Manchester City’s run-in and as City fans around the world would have been hoping, the club will honour the legendary Belgian with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium, as reported by Jack Gaughan writing for Mail Sport.

The gesture would see De Bruyne join ex-City teammates Sergio Aguero, Vincent Kompany and David Silva amongst the most historic, impactful players to have donned the Manchester City blue and have been felicitated for their contributions with a statue outside the Etihad Stadium.

It remains to be seen if De Bruyne will play a part in City’s FIFA Club World Cup campaign between June and July in the United States, with his current deal set to expire on 30 June.