Kevin De Bruyne (born June 28, 1991), also known as KDB, is an exceptionally skilled Belgian footballer. He presently fulfills the role of an attacking midfielder for Manchester City in the Premier League.
Serving as a leader for both his club and the Belgium national team, he has earned recognition as one of the premier players of his era and stands among the top midfielders globally.
Renowned for his prowess on the field, Kevin De Bruyne is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest players of his generation and is consistently ranked among the best midfielders in the world. His extraordinary talent is evident in his impeccable passing skills, creative playmaking, and exceptional vision, rendering him a versatile and well-rounded player on the pitch.
KEVIN DE BRUYNE |
|
|---|---|
 Kevin De Bruyne: History ‧ Bio ‧ Photo |
|
| WIKI FACTS & ABOUT DATA | |
| Full Name: | Kevin De Bruyne |
| Stage Name: | KDB |
| Born: | 28 June 1991 (age 32 years old) |
| Place of Birth: | Drongen, Ghent, Belgium |
| Nationality: | Belgian |
| Education: | Gent Academy |
| Height: | 1.81 m/td> |
| Parents: | Anna De Bruyne, Herwig De Bruyne |
| Siblings: | Stephanie De Bruyne |
| Spouse: | Michele Lacroix (m. 2017) |
| Girlfriend • Partner: | Caroline Lijnen (2010-2013) |
| Children: | Mason Milian De Bruyne, Rome De Bruyne, Suri De Bruyne |
| Occupation: | Footballer • Songwriter |
| Net Worth: | $70 million |
Table of Contents
Early Life & Education
Kevin De Bruyne, a prominent Belgian footballer, was born in the picturesque village of Drongen on June 28, 1991. His mother, Anna De Bruyne, and father, Herwig De Bruyne, nurtured him with love. Kevin also had a sister in their family unit named Stephanie De Bruyne.
While Kevin did not embark on the conventional path of pursuing higher education, he dedicated himself to honing his football skills.
Throughout his formative years, Kevin De Bruyne attended local schools in Belgium while making remarkable progress within various esteemed youth academies such as KVV Drongen, Gent, and Genk.
Career
Kevin De Bruyne‘s professional career began in 1997 with his hometown club, KVV Drongen. After two years in Brussels, he moved to Gent and Genk in 2005. KDB honed his skills in Genk’s youth system before being promoted to the first-team squad in 2008 due to his impressive development. He made his professional debut for Genk on February 7, 2009, but was beaten 2-0 against Charleroi.
De Bruyne wasted no time in becoming an integral member of Genk, playing a vital role in their triumph in the Belgian Pro League during the 2010-2011 season. His exceptional performances also earned him the prestigious Belgian Young Player of the Year title in 2011.
De Bruyne’s exceptional performances for Genk caught the eyes of numerous prestigious clubs, ultimately leading to his acquisition by Chelsea in January 2012 for an impressive transfer fee of £7 million.
Unfortunately, the transition to English football proved arduous for KDB as he encountered difficulties adapting to his new environment, which resulted in him frequently being utilized as a substitute player rather than a consistent starter.
Kevin De Bruyne scored an impressive 10 goals in 33 appearances while on loan at Werder Bremen during the 2012-2013 season. However, upon returning to Chelsea for the 2013-2014 season, he struggled to secure a regular spot in the first-team lineup.
De Bruyne joined Wolfsburg for a cost of £18 million in January 2014. He quickly established himself as an important squad member, helping them win the DFB-Pokal in 2014-15. Furthermore, he demonstrated his remarkable scoring talents by scoring 16 goals in 34 Bundesliga games, earning him the title of top scorer for that season.
De Bruyne‘s exceptional performances at Wolfsburg caught the interest of numerous prestigious clubs. Consequently, Manchester City acquired him in August 2015 for a hefty £55 million. Since then, he has established himself as one of the most influential players in the club’s history.
Kevin De Bruyne, the talented Belgian midfielder, has had an illustrious career at Manchester City, securing an impressive tally of five Premier League titles, five EFL Cups, and one FA Cup.
His remarkable performances on the pitch have not gone unnoticed, as he has been awarded the prestigious Premier League Player of the Season title twice, first in the 2018-19 season and then again in the recently concluded 2021-22 season. KDB‘s contributions to Manchester City’s success cannot be overstated, making him a key figure in their triumphs.
Kevin De Bruyne joined the Belgian national team in 2010 and has played in over 90 matches, scoring 26 goals. He was part of the Belgian teams that made it to the quarter-finals in the 2014 FIFA World Cup and UEFA Euro 2016.
KDB‘s accomplishments extend beyond his club’s success, as he was also a crucial member of the Belgium national team during the 2018 FIFA World Cup. Not only did they secure a commendable third-place finish, but Kevin De Bruyne himself was recognized as the tournament’s standout player. Furthermore, his exceptional performances earned him a well-deserved spot in the prestigious FIFA World Cup Dream Team.
Awards & Nominations
Individual
- 2013: Bundesliga Player of the Year
- 2013: Footballer of the Year (Germany)
- 2014: Belgian Sportsman of the Year
- 2015: Belgian Golden Shoe
- 2016: FIFA FIFPro World 11
- 2016: UEFA Team of the Year
- 2017: ESM Team of the Year
- 2017: Premier League Player of the Season
- 2018: PFA Players’ Player of the Year
- 2018: Premier League Playmaker of the Season
- 2019: UEFA Team of the Year
- 2019: FIFA FIFPro World 11
- 2020: Premier League Playmaker of the Season
- 2020: Premier League Player of the Season
- 2021: UEFA Team of the Season
- 2022: Premier League Player of the Season
- 2022: Premier League Playmaker of the Season
- 2022: UEFA Men’s Player of the Year Award (2nd place)
Club
- 2015: DFB-Pokal
- 2015: DFL-Supercup
- 2016: Football League Cup
- 2017: Premier League
- 2018: FA Cup
- 2018: Football League Cup
- 2018: Premier League
- 2019: FA Community Shield
- 2019: Premier League
- 2019: Football League Cup
- 2020: FA Cup
- 2021: Premier League
- 2021: EFL Cup
- 2021: FA Community Shield
- 2022: Premier League
- 2022: EFL Cup
Social Media
- Instagram: @kevindebruyne
- Facebook: Kevin De Bruyne
- Twitter: @DeBruyneKev
Personal Life
The 32-year-old Kevin De Bruyne, a talented Belgian footballer, is joyfully united in marriage with Michele Lacroix, who is not only a stunning Belgian model but also a successful businesswoman.
Their unwavering bond began back in 2014 and was solidified through the sacred vows of matrimony in the enchanting month of June 2017. This harmonious union has been blessed with the beautiful gift of three children, among whom is their beloved son, Mason Milian De Bruyne.
Kevin De Bruyne and his wife, Michele Lacroix, are parents to two sons. Mason Milian De Bruyne, their firstborn, entered the world on 10 March 2016, followed by their second son, Rome De Bruyne, born on 31 October 2018. Welcoming their third child, KDB shared a heartwarming picture on his official Instagram account, featuring the newborn daughter alongside his two boys. The caption revealed the name ‘Suri,’ suggesting their newest addition might be Suri De Bruyne.
Kevin De Bruyne was romantically involved with Caroline Lijnen from 2010 to 2013.
Kevin De Bruyne, who happens to be a Drake fan, had the incredible opportunity to meet the famous rapper at a concert before November 17, 2023. Recently, when Drake released his latest album on a Friday, observant fans discovered De Bruyne‘s name credited in one of the songs. The talented City Star has been sidelined due to a hamstring tear since August.
Kevin De Bruyne, known for his assists to Erling Haaland, surprised fans when it was revealed that he may have also assisted Drake in the studio. A Spotify listing credits a ‘K. De Bruyne‘ was a co-writer for Drake‘s song ‘Wick Man‘. Adding to the speculation, KDB playfully hinted on Twitter that he was behind the lyrics, with teammate Haaland joining the playful banter.
Net Worth
Kevin De Bruyne, the talented footballer, boasts an impressive net worth of an estimated $70 million. He is distinguished for his remarkable skills and is prominent among the highest-earning footballers worldwide.
Through his substantial salary and lucrative endorsements, De Bruyne amasses a staggering £20 million ($26 million) annually, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s most financially successful athletes.