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de Bruyne joins Man City

Alex ChafferAugust 30, 2015

The deed is done. The saga of the Bundesliga summer is complete, as Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne has returned to the Premier League in a record-breaking deal. The Belgian international has become a Citizen.

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Bundesliga Fussballspiel FC Koeln v VfL Wolfsburg 22.08.2015 Kevin De Bruyne
Image: Getty Images/AFP/P. Stollar

Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Wolfsburg and Belgian international midfielder Kevin de Bruyne on a six-year deal. The deal is rumoured to be worth 74 million euros (83 million dollars), the most expensive transfer in the history of German football.

"I want to reach the highest level possible as a player and I think the most important thing is that at the end of the season we can be happy and maybe have some titles," de Bruyne told the Manchester City club website.

De Bruyne was named Germany's Footballer of the Year after he broke the Bundesliga's record for assists in a single season with 20, in 2014-15. Overall, the 23-year old made 73 appearances for Wolfsburg, scoring 20 goals and assisting on 37.

"We worked hard with Kevin to try and have him stay, but his mind was made up and now a deal is agreed," Wolfsburg sporting director Klaus Allofs to the club's website.

De Bruyne also spent a season with Werder Bremen on loan from Chelsea, in which he scored 10 goals and assisted the same number. The Belgian left the Premier League due to a lack of playing time, but he now returns to England, joining Manuel Pellegrini's Manchester City side.

Wolfsburg are reportedly in talks with Schalke and German international Julian Draxler, in a bid to replace de Bruyne before the transfer window closes on Monday.