**Bayer Leverkusen Officially Signs Belgium International Midfielder for €48M Record Transfer Fee**

Bayer Leverkusen has officially signed Belgian international midfielder Kevin De Bruyne from Manchester City for a record transfer fee of €48 million.

De Bruyne, who was named Premier League Player of the Year in 2019, is expected to join the German champions on loan until the end of the season and then make his debut for the club.

The transfer fee is the highest ever paid for a midfielder in European football history, surpassing the previous record holder, Paris Saint-Germain's Neymar Jr., who was transferred to Barcelona for €50 million in 2017.

Leverkusen president Michael Zorc expressed excitement about bringing De Bruyne to their team, saying, "Kevin De Bruyne is one of the best midfielders in the world, and we are thrilled to have him as part of our squad."

Manchester City will be looking to sell De Bruyne before the summer transfer window closes, but the move to Leverkusen represents a significant investment for the club.

De Bruyne's arrival at Leverkusen comes just days after the club announced the signing of defender Mats Hummels from Borussia Dortmund for a reported £20 million fee. The two signings mark another major addition to Leverkusen's already strong squad ahead of the upcoming Bundesliga season.

With De Bruyne joining the club, Leverkusen will look to continue their rise in Europe and challenge for the league title. The transfer fee also highlights the growing interest in Belgium's top talent in European football, with De Bruyne being the latest example of how clubs are willing to pay high fees for players from his country.

As De Bruyne prepares to start his new journey with Leverkusen, fans across Europe can expect to see some exciting performances from the talented midfielder. With his experience and skills, he should be able to contribute significantly to the team's success this season.