Jack Grealish has posted a heartfelt tribute to his Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne after the Belgian announced that he would be leaving the club at the end of the season. 

Taking to Instagram in response to De Bruyne’s announcement, Grealish, 29, wrote: ‘One of the reasons I joined City was to play alongside you brother!.

‘The best I’ve ever had the pleasure of playinh with for sure. Legend! #kevindebruyne’. 

Another modern midfield great in Toni Kroos also took to social media to pay homage to the playmaker. 

Posting to X, formerly Twitter, he wrote: ‘Special player. Congrats!’

Jack Grealish has posted a heartfelt tribute to his Manchester City team-mate Kevin De Bruyne

Another modern midfield great in Toni Kroos also took to social media to pay homage to the playmaker

De Bruyne and Grealish celebrate after beating Manchester United to win the 2023 FA Cup

De Bruyne and Kroos last faced one another during the quarter-final of last season’s Champions League

Arsenal manager Mikel Arteta also singled out De Bruyne for praise – having been Pep Guardiola’s assistant at Manchester City before taking his first job as a manager. 

Arteta said: ‘I don’t know he is [number one, two or three], but for me he is one of the best players in the history of the Premier League. 

‘I’ve never seen, I’ve never played with a player that can execute that precisely at high speed. He can be running at 33, 34, kilometres an hour and play the ball 30 metres through two people to the perfect spot. I haven’t seen anybody else to do that at that pace’. 

Grealish registered five goals and 11 assists in that campaign as he became a pivotal player in attack. 

De Bruyne was in fine form of his own, contributing 10 goals and a remarkable 29 assists in all competitions to help Guardiola’s side become only the second English team to win a domestic and European treble. 

Revealing his decision in an emotional letter to fans on Friday, De Bruyne, 33, wrote: ‘Dear Manchester, Seeing this you probably realise where this is heading. So I’ll get straight to it and let you all know that these will be my final months as a Manchester City player.

‘Nothing about this is easy to write, but as football players, we all know this day eventually comes. That day is here, and you deserve to hear it from me first.

‘Football led me to all of you – and to this city. Chasing this dream, not knowing this period would change my life. This city. This club. These people… gave me EVERYTHING. I had no choice but to give EVERYTHING back! And guess what – we won EVERYTHING.

Manchester City’s Jack Grealish and Kevin De Bruyne arrive back in Manchester with the UEFA Champions League trophy in 2023 after completing the Treble

The pair played a key role in guiding the Citizens to a historic treble in the 2022-23 season

‘Whether we like it or not, it’s time to say goodbye. Suri, Rome, Mason, Michele, and I are all grateful for what this place has meant to our family. “Manchester” will forever be on our kids’ passports – and more importantly, in each of our hearts.

‘This will always be our HOME.

‘We cannot thank the city, club, staff, teammates, friends, and family enough for this 10-year ride.

‘Every story comes to an end, but this has definitely been the best chapter. 

‘Let’s enjoy these last moments together!’

‘Much love, KDB.’