Kevin De Bruyne is raring to go at Serie A champions Napoli after not being supplied a contract extension by Manchester Metropolis, and stated linking up with compatriot Romelu Lukaku was a part of the enchantment.
Thought to be one of many best midfielders in Premier League historical past, De Bruyne ended a glittering decade-long spell at Metropolis on the finish of final season and joined Napoli on a free switch final month.
“I’ve been within the Premier League for therefore lengthy and in the long run I made the choice to exit of England,” De Bruyne instructed reporters on Saturday.
“I’ve performed what I’ve performed and in the long run I’m a Man Metropolis participant for all times. It was additionally with the way in which that it ended for me, I believed, it’s time to discover a new problem.
“Once I had the entire venture in entrance of me after which the truth that I might play in Italy and nonetheless play at a excessive degree was thrilling for me.”
De Bruyne, who turned 34 final month, stated he had a lot to study in Italy, however with Belgium teammate and polyglot Romelu Lukaku by his facet, the training curve seems far much less steep as he adjusts to Antonio Conte’s facet.
“Napoli already are champions however they’re nonetheless bettering their squad… I’m hoping that I will help the group develop and I can even study from them, a brand new manner of enjoying, a brand new competitors,” De Bruyne stated.
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“Romelu was comfortable [about the move], I spoke with him within the nationwide group [camp], he needed me to affix. I do know Romelu since we had been 13-years-old, so we’re actually tight collectively. Once we performed in Chelsea we lived collectively for 2 or three months.
“It makes it just a little bit simpler that I do know him as a result of he’s anyone who can translate for me and it helps as a result of he is aware of the coach, he is aware of the group.”
Napoli start their 2025-26 Serie A marketing campaign on Aug. 13 with a visit to Sassuolo.