Kevin De Bruyne has penned a new contract at Manchester City that will keep the Belgian midfielder at The Etihad until the summer of 2025, hours after scoring in the Champions League.
The deal was announced as the club’s annual report showed employee costs rose 11 per cent in the last financial year to £351 million. City’s payroll costs now eclipse those across Manchester at United, which dropped to £284 million in the same period covering the pandemic-disrupted 2019-20 season.
And the footnotes of City’s finance document disclose that this season’s ongoing pursuit of a quadruple, while illustrious for the club, could come with a large price.
⚠️ DEFENDERS BEWARE ⚠️
We’re thrilled to announce @DeBruyneKev has signed a contract extension until 2025! ⚡️
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🔷 #ManCity | https://t.co/axa0klD5re
— Manchester City (@ManCity) April 7, 2021
De Bruyne, who turns 30 in June, sparkled on Tuesday night as Manchester City earned a slender 2-1 win over Borussia Dortmund in the first round of their Champions League quarter-final tie. He scored and created another.
Just hours later on Wednesday morning, Manchester City confirmed that De Bruyne – who was previously contracted at the club until the summer of 2023 – had signed a deal that will keep him at City until he is aged 35.
“I could not be happier,” De Bruyne said.
“Since joining City in 2015, I have felt at home. I love the fans, my family are settled here in Manchester and my own game has developed really well.
“This football club is geared for success. It offers me everything I need to maximise my performance, so signing this contract was a straightforward decision. I am playing the best football of my career and I honestly feel there is more to come.
“Pep and I see football in the same way. Having that relationship with a manager is so important to me because our objectives are totally aligned and we want the same things.
“My focus now is on ensuring we have a successful end to the current campaign. Our results and performances so far have been excellent, but we need to make sure we end the season with the silverware we deserve.”
Gary Lineker delivers instant reaction as Kevin De Bruyne signs new Man City deal
The 80-time Belgium star has already surpassed 250 appearances in all competitions at City having joined the club in the summer of 2015 from Wolfsburg – and he is likely to come close to doubling that if he’ll manage to stay injury-free.
Plenty of supporters responded immediately to the news that De Bruyne will be at City for the next four years – unless he is sold – as did Lineker, who is delighted to see the magician remain in English football.
Best signing so far this year. Great news that we can continue to enjoy @DeBruyneKev’s brilliance in the Premier League. https://t.co/bpRR0dtusZ
— Gary Lineker 💙 (@GaryLineker) April 7, 2021
De Bruyne will be hoping there are finally fans allowed back into the stadium to see him lift the Premier League trophy in May — as is planned.
The return of spectators will help to stem the flow of losses that reached £126 million in 2019-20 after making a profit of 10 million pounds the previous year, as revenue during the pandemic dropped 11 per cent to £478 million.
