De Bruyne: Happy to Join Napoli… Eager to Work with Conte
Belgian midfielder Kevin De Bruyne expressed his delight at joining Napoli, the reigning Italian Serie A champions, during his first appearance following the official end of his contract with Manchester City, where he spent ten seasons.
Speaking at a press conference—quotes published by his new club’s official website—De Bruyne said: “I chose Napoli because it’s a competitive team, and I’ll have the opportunity to showcase my skills here. I’m excited about this new adventure.”
He added: “Napoli are champions of Italy and hold significant stature. I know Italian football is different from English football, but I still have the motivation to compete at a high level. Napoli is the ideal environment for that. When they presented the club’s project to me, I was really impressed, and I’m happy with my decision.”
The Belgian star continued: “Our goal is to perform well in all competitions we take part in, and to maintain consistency between the league and the Champions League. For me, this is a new experience, and I need to study the rhythm and playing style of Serie A, but I’m confident and enthusiastic about the upcoming season.”
When asked about those who influenced his decision to join Napoli, De Bruyne replied: “I spoke with my teammates Romelu Lukaku and Dries Mertens about Napoli, but in the end, it was a personal decision made by me and my family. I’ve known Lukaku since we were 13, and we share a deep friendship, which will help me adapt—especially in terms of the language and understanding all aspects of Italian football.”
De Bruyne concluded: “I received offers from other clubs, but Napoli convinced me in every way. They have an ambitious project, they’re a great team, and they have a fantastic coach.”
