Kevin De Bruyne is finally ready to begin a new chapter in his illustrious career, with his long-awaited transfer to Napoli now all but complete.
According to Gianluca Di Marzio, the Belgium international will travel to Naples later this week to finalise the move after wrapping up international duty.
De Bruyne will reportedly join Antonio Conte’s Serie A-winning side on a two-year deal.
The 33-year-old spent a decade at Manchester City, winning six Premier League titles. He also won the FA Cup twice, the Champions League and the Club World Cup, among other accolades.
De Bruyne has cemented his place as a Premier League icon, but his time in England will end when his contract runs out at the end of the month.
He had been expected to seal the move earlier this month. But he delayed finalising the transfer until after Belgium’s World Cup qualifiers against North Macedonia and Wales.
He started both games but was more influential in the game against Wales, scoring a dramatic 88th-minute winner to snatch a win for Belgium in the seven-goal thriller.
With his international duties now behind him, De Bruyne is expected in Naples by Thursday to undergo a medical and complete the remaining formalities of his transfer.
Reports suggest that a two-year deal has already been signed, with an option to extend for an additional year.
Napoli’s interest in De Bruyne dates back to early May, with the club quickly emerging as front-runners after winning the Scudetto and qualifying for the Champions League.
De Bruyne and his wife were also married in the nearby Sorrento back in 2017, which added to the appeal of moving to Naples.
Napoli beat clubs from the Major League Soccer, Saudi Arabia, and other Serie A teams to the signing of De Bruyne, who believes he still has plenty to offer at the highest level.
The Belgian maestro is likely to be Napoli’s first signing of the summer, though the club is also close to finalising a deal for Empoli’s 20-year-old defender Luca Marianucci.
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