Football
Mark Rodden 9y

Kevin De Bruyne relieved to be playing football after 'hectic' transfer season

New Manchester City signing Kevin De Bruyne says he is relieved to be concentrating on his football again after helping Belgium to victory in their Euro 2016 qualifier against Bosnia-Herzegovina.

De Bruyne, 24, set up Marouane Fellaini's equaliser before his sharp turn and well-placed shot from outside the box put Belgium ahead in their 3-1 win in Brussels on Thursday.

Late last month, the midfielder left German club Wolfsburg for City in a £54 million deal. The protracted move was one of the biggest transfer stories of the summer and De Bruyne recently admitted that constant speculation surrounding his future made life difficult for him.

Speaking after he was voted man of the match by Belgian TV viewers, the former Genk and Chelsea player said he had finally been able to sleep well ahead of Thursday's key encounter.

"I'm happy after the last couple of weeks, which were a bit hectic," De Bruyne told Belgian TV station RTBF. "This week's preparation did me a lot of good.

"The transfer window is closed and now I can play. That's what I prefer to do.

"I know that the press and the supporters will be there in numbers for the start of my career with Manchester City, but that's normal.

"Everyone talked a lot about my transfer -- a little too much I think -- but in the end I have to prove my worth on the pitch. That's what's most important."

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