A special mural commissioned by Manchester City to honour the remarkable achievements of Kevin De Bruyne at the club has now been removed and replaced.
The Belgium international midfielder departed the Etihad Stadium after 10 years of outstanding service to the club upon the conclusion of the last campaign, with a decision taken not to offer renewed terms on his contract.
As such, it was left up to the player and those around him to seek out a fresh opportunity within the game, and while holding firm desires to remain at the highest level possible, it was Serie A Champions Napoli who managed to secure his signature.
Penning a two-year agreement in the Italian game with an option for an additional 12 months, De Bruyne now formally bids farewell to his time in Manchester but will be deservedly remembered and marked by the club through a number of gestures recently announced.
Among the lasting items put into place by the club to remember arguably its greatest ever player are a mosaic within the training ground, the renaming of a roadway within the facility, and the commissioning of a brand new stature in his honour outside the Etihad Stadium.
However, one item that was originally put in place within Manchester’s city centre has since been removed, with the club only taking on a temporary lease of an art installation for passers-by.
Having stood in place within the Northern Quarter for a period of two weeks, Kevin De Bruyne’s mural commemorating his staggering haul of trophies at the Etihad Stadium has now been removed.
In its place, those walking through the region will now notice a brand new art installation commissioned by Adidas Originals, marking their collaborative campaign with Manchester music legends and lifelong City fans, Oasis.
Photo: City Xtra
For now, it remains to be seen whether a mural in Kevin De Bruyne’s honour will be recreated in a permanent home, perhaps closer to the Etihad Stadium in the way that a Pep Guardiola artwork has remained in place adjacent to the arena.
Some supporters have also encouraged the club to take on only its second-ever renaming of a stand at the Etihad Stadium, insisting that Kevin De Bruyne’s name should be placed on the arena in the same way that Colin Bell has been remembered.
On the pitch, and Manchester City themselves will only be wanting to move on from the 34-year-old as they look to get back to their competitive best as soon as possible, with Rayan Cherki leading the creative charge in midfield following his arrival from Lyon.