Kevin De Bruyne has defined intimately why he determined to affix Napoli on a free switch after his 10-year spell within the Premier League with Manchester Metropolis, suggesting that the Partenopei had been capable of supply him the perfect ‘all-round’ package deal of aggressive soccer and a brand new ‘life-style’ for his household.
De Bruyne spoke to the media at his introductory on Saturday, having and having accomplished his first week of pre-season coaching over the previous few days.
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Among the many matters of dialogue at De Bruyne’s first Napoli press convention was his being which had beforehand been retired in honour of the legendary Diego Maradona, in addition to his resolution to affix Napoli.
Kevin De Bruyne on first day of Napoli pre-season coaching, July 15, 2025.
Why De Bruyne selected Napoli over MLS and Saudi choices
It’s believed that De Bruyne had a number of different choices earlier than deciding on Napoli, together with in Europe, in Saudi Arabia, and enticingly, in the USA.
Nevertheless, De Bruyne later determined to maneuver to Campania, the place he and his spouse had been married a couple of years in the past.
“Competetively, it’s a really good place to be,” De Bruyne informed the press when requested why he determined to affix Napoli.
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“They had been champions final 12 months, they confirmed that that they had quite a lot of high quality,” he continued.
Kevin De Bruyne, Romelu Lukaku and Lorenzo Lucca in pre-season coaching with Napoli.
“Clearly it’s one thing very totally different to what I had in England, however that’s one thing that’s additionally very thrilling. I felt that I nonetheless had some motivation left and a few high quality in myself that I can do one thing at this stage. Napoli was a really, very good alternative. Clearly you’ve bought some very totally different climate that’s very totally different to England.
“The primary purpose for me is that I wished to play on the highest stage and I feel that when the sporting director got here to England and proposed what they’re doing and the challenge round it, it made me excited.
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“We checked out all the things and I assumed this was the perfect place for me to be.”
De Bruyne then took an opportunity to replicate on what he achieved within the Premier League, which included six titles. He feels that he’ll all the time be welcomed again on the Etihad, however defined that Napoli provided a brand new lifestyle, and an thrilling challenge with loads of funding.
“I’ve been within the Premier League so lengthy and in the long run, I made the choice to exit of England, I’ve finished what I’ve finished and in the long run I’m a Man Metropolis participant for all times and I feel it was additionally the way in which that it ended for me, it’s time to discover a new problem.
LONDON, ENGLAND – MAY 25: Kevin De Bruyne of Manchester Metropolis acknowledges the followers after his closing sport for the crew, following the Premier League match between Fulham FC and Manchester Metropolis FC at Craven Cottage on Might 25, 2025 in London, England. (Picture by Alex Davidson/Getty Photographs)
“After I had the entire challenge in entrance of me after which the truth that I might play in Italy and play at a excessive, excessive stage was thrilling for me.
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“I had the challenge that the membership confirmed me, they wished to spend money on the membership and so they wished to maneuver on. They already are champions, however they nonetheless are bettering the squad. You already noticed that they’ve purchased about 4 or 5 gamers, so that they’re constructing for the longer term.
“Clearly I’m not the youngest anymore, however I feel that I can nonetheless give one thing, so I’m hoping that I may help the crew develop in a approach and I may even be taught from them: New approach of taking part in, new model, new competitors.
“For me, it’s the primary time that I’ve been on this state of affairs the place I used to be free. I’ve all the time had a contract, so it was all the time straightforward for me each summer time, I used to be straightforward, it was good. So I might say the longer the season went on with nothing happening, it was a bit tense, as a result of it’s a really new state of affairs.
“However then clearly Napoli got here, another groups got here, they offered their initiatives.
Antonio Conte Aurelio De Laurentiis Napoli
“There was quite a lot of distinction in initiatives, life-style, competitiveness, all differing types, and I might say the Napoli challenge for me was all-round the most suitable choice for me. The primary factor being the competitiveness, however clearly the life-style, the solar, it’s very totally different to what I’m used to, however I’m a soccer participant, I’m very aggressive and I feel I’m nonetheless capable of carry out at a superb stage.”
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“So so long as I’m nonetheless taking part in soccer, I wish to get essentially the most out of myself and as soon as a day comes that I really feel that I’m not capable of do it, then perhaps I’ll make one other resolution. However now, at 34, I nonetheless really feel I’m capable of get a superb stage out of myself and I’m right here to show that I can do this.”