Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne has announced he will leave Premier League side Manchester City when his contract runs out at the end of this season, ending a dominant 10 years association with the club. 

“Seeing this, you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player,” De Bruyne said in a statement on Friday.

He added, “Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes.”

The announcement came after months-long speculation about the player’s future, which many media reports have linked with a move to Saudi Arabia, a potential transfer De Bruyne has refused to rule out on multiple occasions.

He added, “That day is here— and you deserve to hear it from me first. Football led me to all of you—and to this city. Chasing my dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me everything.”

The 33-year-old joined Manchester City in 2015 from Wolfsburg and has enjoyed a successful career at the club, winning six Premier League titles, five EFL Cup titles, two FA Cup and one UEFA Champions League honour in more than 400 appearances. 

“I had no choice but to give everything back! And guess what — we won everything. Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michèle, and I are beyond grateful for what this place has meant to our family,” De Bruyne said.”