"I admit, I had sleepless nights"
The deal was confirmed by Manchester City yesterday. Belgian media are talking about a transfer fee of 75 million euros, a record for City as well, and almost a record for British football, as only Angel Di María has cost more. The Argentine left Real Madrid for Manchester United last year for almost 90 million euros.
Kevin De Bruyne, a creative midfielder and "assist king" in Germany last season, knows that the high transfer fee and his earnings at Manchester (Belgian media are talking about a week salary of 320,000 euros) will bring extra pressure. He will join Belgium's Vincent Kompany at City.
"I won't change as a person"
De Bruyne briefly returned to Belgium (Vlezenbeek) after finalising the deal yesterday and talked to the VRT's sports desk Sporza.
"I am exhausted but very happy. There is a lot of money involved and this has an impact on you. I admit it, I had sleepless nights" De Bruyne has a quiet nature and kept cool even after the deal had been sealed. "I hadn't expected this to happen, but it did. If people want to make such a huge effort to get me there, it shows their confidence and faith. (...) I know the media will focus on me, especially during the first weeks. I want to settle as soon as possible, but it will work out. I just have to continue to work hard."
"I will not change as a person. People know how I am as a person and as player, and I won't change now."
