Report: Pep Guardiola loses key Man City star as Ronaldo follows to Saudi Arabia

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One of the most striking players in the English Premier League, especially from Manchester City, has reached an agreement with a club from Saudi Arabia, ending a remarkable 9-year stay in one of the most prestigious competitions in the world.

It is none other than a midfielder Kevin De Bruyne, who has chosen to Citizens led by Pep Guardiola to join Al-Ittihad. De Bruyne signs a blockbuster contract with the Saudi Arabian club, a deal that was simply too lucrative to refuse. With this move, Cristiano Ronaldo now has another top rival in the race for the title.

At the age of 33, the Belgian star decides to move to a less prominent football league. In recent years, the Saudi Arabian League has invested heavily in leading players to increase its global appeal and attract a larger audience.

After a great spell at City, where he won multiple titles and played with stars such as Erling Haaland, RodriAnd Julian AlvarezDe Bruyne is now ready to make his mark in Saudi Arabia. The Belgian midfielder joins a high-ranking squad at Al-Ittihad, which features two other big names in world football—Karim Benzema and N’Golo KanteThe move marks a major shift in the football landscape as Al-Ittihad look to build a strong team in the Saudi Pro League.

Kevin De Bruyne’s Manchester City stats: A legacy of excellence

During his 9-year spell at Manchester City, Kevin De Bruyne established himself as one of the club’s all-time greats. Over the course of 383 appearances, the Belgian midfielder scored 102 goals and provided 170 assists, demonstrating his exceptional playmaking and goal-scoring ability.

Kevin De Bruyne’s Trophy Haul at Manchester City

• Premier League: 5 (2017-18, 2018-19, 2020-21, 2021-22, 2022-23)
• FA Cup: 2 (2018-19, 2022-23)
• Carabao Cup: 3 (2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20)
• Community Shield: 2 (2018, 2019)
• UEFA Champions League: 1 (2022-23)

Saudi Arabia, Cristiano Ronaldo and the rise of a star-studded league

The Saudi Pro League continues to attract top talent from around the world. Kevin De Bruyne recently moved to Al-Ittihad, adding another superstar to the growing list of football icons in the region. De Bruyne joins a prestigious squad that also includes Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, N’Golo Kanté, Marcelo Brozovic, Ivan Rakitic and Sadio Mané.

In addition to these leading players, the league has also welcomed renowned managers such as Steven Gerrard and Laurent Blancfurther strengthening its competitive edge. As the Saudi Pro League grows its global appeal, it promises to continue to attract big names, setting the stage for an exciting future in Middle Eastern football.