Stars of UEFA EURO 2016: Kevin De Bruyne

At a glance
Having made his debut for Genk aged 17, Kevin De Bruyne joined Chelsea in 2012 but really broke through while on loan to Werder Bremen in the ensuing season and then following his subsequent January 2014 switch to Wolfsburg. His goals and assists for the Wolves made him Germany's Player of the Year for 2015. He returned to the Premier League last summer, a reported €76m transfer to Manchester City making him the most expensive Belgian ever, and justified the hype by confirming himself as City's playmaker.

International pedigree
Handed his debut in August 2010, De Bruyne established himself with Belgium during 2014 FIFA World Cup qualifying, notably netting his first national-team goal – and providing an assist – in a 3-0 win in Serbia. Having moved to Wolfsburg to keep sharp for the finals in Brazil, De Bruyne scored one and laid on another in the victory over the United States that took the Red Devils to the quarter-finals. Five more goals and another three assists followed in UEFA EURO 2016 qualifying.

What he offers

Importance for Belgium
De Bruyne and Eden Hazard are Belgium's creative fulcrum, with De Bruyne's excellent right foot offering a wide range of passing options and a fearsome shot from distance. One of the best playmakers of his era, the 24-year-old's qualities – and those of Hazard – were sorely missed when he sat out the Red Devils' 2-1 friendly loss to Portugal on 29 March through injury. "Kevin and Eden, where are you?" wrote one paper. His return on 2 April, with a goal for City, was a huge relief for the whole of Belgium.

International career
Debut: Finland 1-0 Belgium (11 August 2010, friendly)
Appearances: 36
Goals: 11

EURO final tournament (Belgium record)
Appearances: 0 (René Vandereycken, 9)
Goals: 0 (Jan Ceulemans and Paul Van Himst, 2)