Kevin De Bruyne: Early Life, Clubs, Family, Net Worth, Career and Stats

Born on June 28, 1991, Kevin De Bruyne is a Belgian professional footballer renowned for his role as a midfielder and captaincy for both the Premier League club Manchester City and the Belgium national team. Widely acclaimed as one of the premier players of his era and recognized as one of the finest midfielders globally, pundits often laud him as a complete footballer.

Having made his full international debut in 2010, De Bruyne has amassed over 90 caps and netted 26 goals for Belgium. He played a pivotal role in the Belgian squads that reached the quarter-finals in both the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016. Additionally, he earned a place in the FIFA World Cup Dream Team during the 2018 tournament, where Belgium secured a third-place finish. De Bruyne continued to represent Belgium in UEFA Euro 2020 and the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

Early Life of Kevin De Bruyne

Kevin De Bruyne born on June 28, 1991, is the son of Herwig De Bruyne and Anna De Bruyne. His father is involved in the oil investment business, while his mother works as a petroleum engineer. De Bruyne’s early years were marked by frequent relocations due to his father’s business commitments.

His football journey commenced at the age of four in his hometown, playing for KVV Drongen in 1997. However, he parted ways with the club after two years due to insufficient infrastructure and inadequate training facilities. Subsequently, he transitioned to Gent and later to Genk in 2005.

Clubs: The Footballing Journey

Genk

In 1997, Kevin De Bruyne commenced his football journey with KVV Drongen, later moving to Gent in 1999 and subsequently joining Genk in 2005. Promoted to Genk’s first team in 2008, he debuted in May 2009 and became a key player the following season. De Bruyne’s impactful 2010–11 season included five goals and 16 assists, contributing to Genk’s Belgian championship win. 

He showcased his talent further with a hat-trick in 2011 and transferred to Chelsea in 2012. Despite the move, he continued to excel for Genk, concluding the season with eight goals in 28 appearances, capping it with a 3–1 win over Gent.

Chelsea

On the winter transfer deadline day, January 31, 2012, Chelsea and Genk announced the permanent signing of Kevin De Bruyne for a reported fee of around £7 million. Despite signing a five-and-a-half-year contract at Stamford Bridge, he remained with Genk for the rest of the 2011–12 season. De Bruyne expressed his excitement about joining Chelsea but acknowledged the need to work hard to meet the club’s standards. He made his Chelsea debut on July 18, 2012, in a friendly against Seattle Sounders FC and played the first half against Paris Saint-Germain in New York City.

Also Read: Manchester City: Players, History, Records, Achievements, and Future Goals

After a successful loan stint with Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga, De Bruyne was linked to a permanent move to Germany but returned to Chelsea in July 2013 after assurances from manager José Mourinho. Despite suffering a knee injury in a pre-season friendly, he made a competitive debut in the 2013–14 Premier League season, providing an assist in a 2–0 win against Hull City.

Werder Bremen (loan)

On July 31, 2012, Chelsea announced that Kevin De Bruyne would embark on a season-long loan to Werder Bremen in the Bundesliga. During his loan spell, he showcased his goal-scoring prowess, netting his first goal in a 3–2 defeat against Hannover 96 and continuing to impress with goals against VfB Stuttgart and Fortuna Düsseldorf. Despite a brief goal drought, De Bruyne bounced back, scoring crucial goals against TSG 1899 Hoffenheim and Eintracht Frankfurt, the latter securing Bremen’s Bundesliga status for the next season. His impactful performances contributed to a successful loan stint with Werder Bremen.

Wolfsburg

In the 2013–14 season, on January 18, 2014, Kevin De Bruyne made a move to Wolfsburg from Chelsea for a reported fee of £18 million. He debuted for Wolfsburg in a 3–1 loss against Hannover 96 on January 25, 2014, and made a notable impact, assisting two goals in a 4–1 home win against 1. FC Nürnberg on April 12. De Bruyne scored his first goal for Wolfsburg in a 3–1 away victory against Hamburger SV a week later and continued his scoring form in the last two Bundesliga matches against VfB Stuttgart and Borussia Mönchengladbach.

The 2014–15 season saw De Bruyne’s impressive performances escalate. He scored crucial goals in the Europa League against Lille and Krasnodar and delivered a standout performance against Bayern Munich on January 30, 2015, scoring twice in a 4–1 home win. His contribution continued with three assists in a 5–3 victory over his former club Werder Bremen on March 1. De Bruyne excelled in the Europa League, scoring two goals against Internazionale on March 12 and contributing to a 3–0 win over SC Freiburg on March 15.

Ending the Bundesliga season with 10 goals and a record-breaking 21 assists, Wolfsburg secured second place and qualified for the 2015–16 UEFA Champions League. On May 30, 2015, De Bruyne started and scored in the 2015 DFB-Pokal Final, helping Wolfsburg defeat Borussia Dortmund 3–1.

In the subsequent 2015–16 season, De Bruyne continued his stellar form, winning the 2015 DFL-Supercup against Bayern Munich and contributing to a 4–1 win against Stuttgarter Kickers in the DFB-Pokal. Despite transfer speculation, including interest from Manchester City, De Bruyne expressed openness to a move but emphasized the decision’s significance for himself and his family. Manchester City made significant bids, including one worth £58 million on August 27, prompting discussions about De Bruyne’s potential transfer.

In summary, De Bruyne’s tenure at Wolfsburg showcased his prowess, earning him the 2015 Germany Footballer of the Year, and attracted attention from top clubs, notably Manchester City.

Manchester City

During the 2015–16 season, Kevin De Bruyne made a significant impact on Manchester City after his record-breaking transfer. Signing a six-year contract, he quickly justified his price tag, scoring his first goal against West Ham United and later contributing to victories in the League Cup and the Premier League. De Bruyne’s stellar performances earned him a spot on the FIFA Ballon d’Or shortlist.

In the 2016–17 season, De Bruyne continued to shine. He played a pivotal role in the Manchester derby, securing a 2–1 win, and showcased his versatility with goals and assists against Bournemouth and FC Barcelona. His contributions helped City reach the Champions League semi-finals for the first time in their history.

The following season, 2017–18, was a standout period for De Bruyne. He set up goals against Liverpool, Watford, and Chelsea, scoring crucial goals himself. His stellar form contributed to City’s dominance, securing the Premier League title with record-breaking performances. De Bruyne’s excellence earned him the Premier League Playmaker of the Season award, and he signed a new long-term contract with the club.

In the 2018–19 season, De Bruyne faced setbacks with a knee injury but made a triumphant return, playing a key role in City’s domestic treble. His remarkable performances in the FA Cup final solidified his status as a crucial asset to the team.

The 2019–20 season showcased De Bruyne’s prowess, with standout goals against Newcastle and Arsenal. He reached a milestone with his 50th goal for Manchester City and set a Premier League record with 20 assists in a single season. De Bruyne’s outstanding contributions earned him the Premier League Player of the Season award.

In the 2020–21 season, De Bruyne continued to impress, securing victories against Wolverhampton Wanderers and contributing to City’s EFL Cup triumph over Tottenham Hotspur. Despite a head injury in the Champions League Final, he was pivotal in City’s success, winning the PFA Player’s Player Of The Year award.

The 2021–22 season showcased De Bruyne’s brilliance, with a historic Champions League semi-final goal against Real Madrid and a four-goal performance against Wolverhampton Wanderers. He secured the Premier League Player of the Season award for the second time and became Manchester City’s top scorer in the Premier League.

In the 2022–23 season, De Bruyne’s impact continued with a brace and an assist against Arsenal, narrowing the gap in the league table. Despite a hamstring injury in the Champions League semi-final, his contributions throughout the season played a crucial role in Manchester City’s continental treble.

In summary, Kevin De Bruyne’s journey with Manchester City has been marked by consistent excellence, contributing to numerous victories, individual accolades, and historic achievements for the club. His skill, versatility, and leadership have solidified his status as one of the premier midfielders in world football.

The Present (2023)

The 2023–24 season for Kevin De Bruyne began on a challenging note as he entered the field as a substitute during the 2023 FA Community Shield against Arsenal. Unfortunately, in the subsequent penalty shoot-out, he missed his penalty, contributing to Arsenal’s 4–1 victory in the shootout. 

The season took a further downturn for De Bruyne on August 11 when he experienced a recurrence of a hamstring injury during the opening league match against Burnley. Subsequent confirmation revealed that he would be sidelined for an estimated four to five months due to this setback. Kevin De Bruyne jersey number is 17.

Kevin De Bruyne’s Family

Kevin De Bruyne’s mother, of Belgian descent, was born in Burundi and lived in the Ivory Coast. Raised in London after her Flemish parents relocated for work, she returned to Belgium upon meeting De Bruyne’s father, Herwig. The family settled in Drongen, a sub-municipality in Flanders, the Dutch-speaking region of Belgium.

During De Bruyne’s childhood, he and his parents frequently visited his grandparents in London, considering it a second home. This tradition continued even after his move to Chelsea in 2012.

Caroline Lijnen, Kevin De Bruyne’s ex-girlfriend, became well-known for a while because she cheated on him with Thibaut Courtoisis. In 2014, De Bruyne entered into a relationship with Michele Lacroix. Kevin De Bruyne wife Michele Lacroix and De Bruyne tied the knot in 2017 and are now parents to three children: Mason, Rome, and Suri. De Bruyne, mindful of their privacy, deliberately keeps his children out of the public eye, allowing them to grow without constant scrutiny.

Net Worth of Kevin De Bruyne

Following Kevin De Bruyne’s contract renewal with Manchester City in 2021, his income saw a substantial 30 percent boost, elevating him to one of the highest earners in English football. Reports indicate that he now commands a weekly salary of £280,000, supplemented by performance-based bonuses tied to metrics such as assists and goals. This translates to a monthly income exceeding one million pounds. Beyond his on-field earnings, De Bruyne diversifies his income through lucrative endorsement deals with major brands like Nike, Orange, EA Sports, and others.

As a prominent Belgian professional soccer player, Kevin De Bruyne has amassed a notable net worth, estimated at $70 million. Widely recognized as one of the premier talents of his generation, his financial success extends beyond his playing contracts to encompass various revenue streams.

Career and Stats:

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Kevin De Bruyne has enjoyed a highly decorated career with notable achievements at both club and international levels. Starting with Genk, he secured the Belgian Pro League (2010–11), Belgian Cup (2008–09), and Belgian Super Cup (2011). His time with VfL Wolfsburg included triumphs in the DFB-Pokal (2014–15) and DFL-Supercup (2015).

However, his most significant successes came at Manchester City, where he clinched multiple Premier League titles (2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23), FA Cups (2018–19, 2022–23), EFL Cups (2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21), FA Community Shield (2019), and the UEFA Champions League (2022–23). On the international stage, he won the FIFA World Cup third place with Belgium in 2018.

De Bruyne’s accolades are equally impressive, ranging from Bundesliga Player of the Year (2014–15) to multiple appearances in UEFA Teams of the Year. He has been honored as Premier League Player of the Season, PFA Players’ Player of the Year, and UEFA Champions League Midfielder of the Season.

His achievements extend to prestigious awards such as the Ballon d’Or (3rd place in 2022) and recognition in the IFFHS UEFA Team of the Decade (2011–2020). With a remarkable list of honors, De Bruyne has solidified his status as one of football’s most accomplished and celebrated players. No European player has delivered more assists at international tournaments than Kevin De Bruyne since 2014.

Kevin De Bruyne Injury

Manchester City always blows with Kevin De Bruyne injury. Recently, the Belgian midfielder faced injury during a premier league game. Pep Guardiola’s side plays title rivals Arsenal next in the Premier League. De Bruyne has already missed a large chunk of the campaign through injury, and the Man City manager will be eager to have his midfielder available for the run-in.

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