Full Name: Kevin De Bruyne
Date of Birth: 28 June 1991
Place of Birth: Drongen, Belgium
Height: 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in)
Position: Midfielder
Current Team: Manchester City
Unquestionably, Kevin De Bruyne, born on the 28th of June 1991 to parents Herwig and Anna De Bruyne, is considered one of the greatest attacking midfielders in world football. Since arriving at Manchester City in the summer of 2015 for a then £55 million club record fee, the Belgian has become a vital component of Pep Guardiola's title-winning sides and established himself as a Premier League legend in waiting.
De Bruyne possesses a vast skill set - including long-range shooting, crossing, and accurate passing. But when it comes to possessing an immense vision to find his teammates - he has taken the 'art of assisting' to a new level. So apart from this grace and poise on the football pitch, what else is there to learn about the Belgian's past, personal life, and career?
Here are 7 Interesting Facts About Kevin De Bruyne
1. He Could Have Played For Burundi
Kevin De Bruyne was born in Drongen, a district of Genk in Belgium, just like his father Erwig De Bruyne. His mother, Anna De Bruyne, hails from the small East African country of Burundi. This technically made him eligible to feature for the little-known region's national team. However, he eventually chose to play for Belgium, joining a cadre of generational talents, including Eden Hazard, Romelu Lukaku, and Vincent Kompany. De Bruyne has represented 'The Red Devils' at every level, from the under-16s to the under-19s, making a total of 19 appearances and scoring twice before making his debut for the senior squad in 2010.
2. He Is A Liverpool Fan
It's mainly thanks to his Grandfather's love of Liverpool that De Bruyne would grow up supporting the Merseyside club. The young Belgian was also in awe of a certain legendary Anfield striker. "My favourite club is Liverpool," an eleven-year-old De Bruyne revealed in an interview as a Genk academy player. "And my favourite player is Michael Owen. I would love to play there one day." UK newspaper The Guardian later claimed that De Bruyne "slept in Liverpool bed linen, wore their tracksuit and described Owen's replica shirt as the 'pride of his collection.'"
3. He Almost Signed For Klopp’s Dortmund
De Bruyne moved to Chelsea in 2012 but was immediately loaned back to his former club Genk and then sent out on a successful loan spell to Werder Bremen for the 2012/13 season. At the end of that campaign, an opportunity arose to join Jürgen Klopp and his emerging Borussia Dortmund side. The German club's creative playmaker Mario Gotze had recently departed for Bayern Munich, and a replacement was needed.
De Bruyne was rumoured to be their first choice, and having even agreed personal terms with Dortmund, he looked ready to leave Stamford Bridge. That was until Chelsea manager Jose Mourinho intervened to block the move. "He convinced me to stay," De Bruyne wrote in his autobiography, Keep It Simple. "I have to admit I barely challenged him." De Bruyne would stay in London but a lacklustre debut season saw him appear only three times without scoring a single goal.
4. He Likes Birdwatching!
Kevin De Bruyne breaks many of the stereotypes you might expect of a 21st-century professional footballer. Rather than indulging in a celebrity lifestyle like many other Premier League stars, the Belgian spends much of his free time walking in the countryside and observing wildlife! More specifically, De Bruyne has a passion for birdwatching and is an avid conservationist and an ambassador to the world's largest bird sanctuary in Walsrode, Germany. "I hope I can help the plight of endangered species of birds," De Bruyne explained back in 2014. "And that I can bring more attention through my sponsorship."
5. He Has His Own Book and Clothing Brand
De Bruyne has a biography, written in 2014 called "Keep It Simple," which he contributed to the writing of. The book provides a detailed account of his professional and personal life, with one highlight explaining how he became an Ambassador for the Special Olympics. The Belgian also owns a clothing range called KDB and is somewhat of a fashion icon on Social media.
6. Kevin De Bruyne Has Just One Nickname
Footballers are usually given a variety of nicknames throughout their careers and yet De Bruyne has just one. Amongst close friends, the Belgian's nickname is 'Tumble Dryer' due to his very dry manner when chatting via WhatsApp messages. "I get called Tumble Dryer," De Bruyne reveals. "Because whenever people text…I always reply with like two words."
7. His Assist Stats Are Even Better Than You Think
Kevin De Bruyne's prowess as an assist provider is nothing short of remarkable; he currently secures second spot, boasting an impressive 112 assists in 259 games. Only surpassed by the legendary Ryan Giggs, who leads with 162 assists, De Bruyne's standing in the Premier League's all-time assist rankings is a testament to his exceptional playmaking abilities.
The Belgian has the best ‘minutes to assist ratio’ in Premier League history so far, providing a goal once every 186 minutes. Even with impressive stats, Arsenal's former forward Jose Antonio Reyes (214 minutes) and Man City's ex-winger Leroy Sane (217 minutes) are somewhat behind him. Moreover, De Bruyne has achieved over 10 assists in six separate Premier League seasons, tying with Cesc Fabregas for the most occurrences.
Additionally, he has equalled the record number of assists for a single season, racking up 20 assists during Man City's 2019/20 campaign, a feat matched only by Theirry Henry in 2002/03. As things stand, De Bruyne is valued at €70m by Transfermarkt.
Bonus - Proficient in Several Languages
Kevin De Bruyne's linguistic prowess extends beyond the pitch, as he is fluent in multiple languages. As a native Dutch speaker, he effortlessly communicates in English, French, and German. In his ongoing quest for linguistic mastery, De Bruyne has also developed some proficiency in Spanish. His multilingual abilities enhance his interactions with teammates, coaches, and fans from diverse backgrounds. This showcases a broader cultural appreciation and underscores the global and interconnected nature of the sport in which he excels.
Personal, Family & Love Life
In the realm of personal life, Kevin De Bruyne's romantic journey has been anchored by his relationship with Michèle Lacroix. Their love story began in 2014, blossoming into a marital union in June 2017. Together, they have built a family that includes three children, creating a stable and nurturing environment off the football field. This chapter in De Bruyne's life unveils a side of the renowned athlete that reflects commitment, partnership, and the joys of familial bonds, standing in contrast to the intensity of his professional endeavours on the pitch.
Kevin De Bruyne Major Honours
Genk
Belgian Pro League: 2010–11
Belgian Cup: 2008–09
Belgian Super Cup: 2011
VfL Wolfsburg
DFB-Pokal: 2014–15
DFL-Supercup: 2015
Manchester City
Premier League: 2017–18, 2018–19, 2020–21, 2021–22, 2022–23
FA Cup: 2018–19, 2022–23
Football League/EFL Cup: 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19, 2019–20, 2020–21
FA Community Shield: 2019
UEFA Champions League: 2022–23
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