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Manchester City signed Belgium international Kevin De Bruyne from Wolfsburg, on this day in 2015. City paid a then club-record fee, reported to be in the region of £54million, for a man who has been at the heart of what they have achieved since. The 24-year-old, who arrived in the Premier League as Germany’s footballer of the year, signed an initial six-year contract to launch the latest, spectacularly-successful phase of his career. Born in the Drongen district of Ghent, De Bruyne began his professional career at Genk and was a Belgian title-winner in 2010-11, prompting Chelsea to invest £6.7million in his services in January 2012, although he remained at his first club for the remainder of that campaign before joining Werder Bremen on a season-long loan deal. The midfield schemer finally made his Blues debut in a 2-0 Premier League victory over Hull in August 2013, providing the assist for Oscar’s opening goal in an impressive display. However, that proved to be one of only nine senior appearances for the club and he was sold to Wolfsburg in the January of the following year. I just want to win Kevin De Bruyne Speaking shortly before his £18million departure for the Bundesliga, then Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho said: “We know that Kevin didn’t adapt very well to the difficult life a Chelsea player has.” If English football had proved testing for the blossoming Belgian, he found his feet in style in Germany and returned to the Premier League as one of the most promising talents in the world game when he arrived at the Etihad Stadium. He said at the time: “I just want to win. I won two cups at Wolfsburg and I just want to keep on winning and I think here’s a good chance to win some titles with a team who have a lot of quality players.” That has proved something of an understatement. Since making his City debut as a substitute in a 1-0 league win at Crystal Palace on September 12, 2015, De Bruyne has helped the club win the Champions League, five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the League Cup on five occasions. Twice named PFA footballer of the year, he has also been capped 99 times and scored 26 goals for Belgium, whom he has represented at three World Cup finals tournaments. Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Andy Murray leads perfect day for Brits at US Open Injury withdrawal hands Carlos Alcaraz quick route into US Open second round Venus Williams knocked out by Greet Minnen in first round of US Open

Harry Maguire’s mother has hit back on social media and defended her son after the centre-back received more criticism in the wake of his latest performance for England. Maguire came off the bench at half-time as England won 3-1 against Scotland on Tuesday but the former Manchester United captain came under fire once again after scoring an unfortunate own-goal. The 30-year-old has endured a tough spell in recent months but remained in Gareth Southgate’s England squad despite falling down the pecking order at Old Trafford. The England boss came to his defence in the post-match press conference, with Maguire’s mother, Zoe, now also voicing her opinion in a social media post that criticised the abuse he has received. “As a mum seeing the level of negative and abusive comments in which my son is receiving from some fans, pundits and the media is disgraceful and totally unacceptable to any walk of life never mind someone who works his socks off for club and country,” she said on Instagram. “I was there in the stand as usual, it’s not acceptable what’s been created, over nothing. I understand that in the football world there are ups and downs, positives and negatives but what Harry receives has gone far beyond ‘football’. For me seeing him go through what he’s going through is not ok. “I would hate to have to see any other parents or players go through this in the future, especially the young boys and girls breaking through the ranks today. Harry has a massive heart and it’s a good job he’s mentally strong and can handle it as others might not be able too. I wish this sort of abuse on nobody!” Maguire started England’s first game of the international break - despite not starting a game for his club so far this season - as Southgate’s side drew 1-1 with Ukraine in Poland. The defender has been a mainstay in Southgate’s England side throughout his tenure in charge of the national team and the England boss issued an impassioned defence of Maguire after the Scotland game, labelling the constant criticism of him “ridiculous” and “a joke”. “It is a consequence of ridiculous treatment of him for a long period of time, frankly,” Southgate said. “I’ve never known a player treated the way he is – not by the Scottish fans, by our own commentators, pundits, whatever it is. “They’ve created something that’s beyond anything I’ve ever seen. He’s been an absolute stalwart for us in the second-most successful England team for decades. He’s been an absolutely key part of that. “I’ve talked about the importance of our senior players. He’s been crucial amongst that. Every time he goes on the field, the resilience he shows, the balls he shows is absolutely incredible. He’s a top player and we’re all with him and our fans were brilliant with him tonight.”

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Erik ten Hag says the Premier League will miss Harry Kane but the Manchester United boss has no regrets about deciding to go for Rasmus Hojlund over the Bayern Munich-bound star. Having wrapped up deals for midfielder Mason Mount and adventurous goalkeeper Andre Onana, the Old Trafford giants turned their attention to filling the glaring need for a striker. Tottenham sharpshooter Kane has long been admired by United but the club instead plumped for potential by signing Atalanta talent Hojlund. “First of all we have chosen a striker and we are really happy with our choice,” Ten Hag said of the Denmark international. “(Kane) is a great striker. That’s clear, he’s really a goal maker and apart from that he has all the conditions and abilities that you want to see in a striker. “It’s a miss for the Premier League, absolutely.” Ten Hag says he will miss the challenge of facing Kane, who Bayern are understood to be forking out an initial £100million for with add-ons able to potentially take it up to £120m. Quizzed on whether United were ever serious candidates to sign the England captain, he said: “I don’t think that I have to go into that discussion or to give an opinion about that. “We are professional. The processes we do are really careful, we consider a lot of things. “But finally we make decisions and we don’t take decisions overnight. There’s a strategy behind every decision and we are happy with the squad we have now.” While Kane looks set to start a new chapter in Germany, everyone at United will be hoping their move for rough diamond Hojlund pays off. The 20-year-old arrived for an initial £64m fee that could rise to £72m with add-ons, signing a five-year deal with the option of a further season. But United fans will have to wait to get a first glimpse of their new frontman as Hojlund is dealing with a back issue that the club are confident is not a long-term issue. “He had a small issue,” Ten Hag said. “He’s not on the levels where our players are in this moment, so now we have to train him. “The prognosis is difficult always to say but we are confident and we are positive.” New boy Hojlund will be sidelined for Monday’s Premier League opener against Wolves, with Amad Diallo, Tyrell Malacia and Kobbie Mainoo also out. Anthony Martial did not play a minute in pre-season as he recovers from a hamstring injury, while back-up goalkeepers Tom Heaton and Dean Henderson remain absent for the curtain raiser. Ten Hag is confident in the shape of his squad ahead of the new season and suggested Harry Maguire could be involved against Wolves despite United accepting a £30m bid from West Ham for their former captain. “Of course (he is available),” the Dutchman said. The frantic final few weeks of the transfer window are likely to dominate the start to a campaign that United get under way with some large clouds hanging over them. A decision has yet to be made on suspended Mason Greenwood’s future and a group of United fans are planning to protest against the prospect of his return ahead of facing Wolves. There is also a planned protest by the 1958 group against the Glazer family as the interminable potential takeover process rolls into the new campaign. Asked about the fan protest and how frustrating it was for him that the ownership issue has not been resolved, Ten Hag said: “I’m sure that the fans will support the team. “I think we construct that last season, the connection between fans and team. “I think we only made it stronger in the pre-season, we’ve seen that in the tour but also now back in the UK I think there’s a really strong support and there’s a really good vibe around the team and between the fans and the team.” Read More Charity boss speaks out over ‘traumatic’ encounter with royal aide Ukraine war’s heaviest fight rages in east - follow live Day out at Wembley feels like ‘weird dream’ for cup finalist Jodie Cunningham Completing early transfer business could boost Arsenal title bid – Mikel Arteta Ange Postecoglou confirms Harry Kane transfer to Bayern Munich ‘imminent’

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