Blues stars partied into the wee small hours as they bade farewell to King Kev in Manchester with a full restaurant takeover in the city centre
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Manchester City stars headed to Grand Pacific for a leaving party for club legend Kevin De Bruyne and the venue was turned blue
(Image: @Sophiesworld_mcr)
After his emotional final moments on the pitch at Manchester City on Tuesday, Kevin De Bruyne and his team-mates headed to party - after taking over a hip Manchester city centre restaurant and bar on Wednesday night into the wee small hours.
The squad, as well as the wider Manchester City team, took over Grand Pacific on Spring Gardens for a lively party to toast the club legend that went on until 2am.
And anyone walking past the venue up King Street could be in little doubt of the celebrations inside - as event organisers turned all the lights BLUE in celebration of the footballer party inside.
Inside, guests were greeted with cocktails on arrival with miniature versions of De Bruyne's number 17 shirt propped inside.
King Kev masks were handed out inside the party(Image: @Sophiesworld_mcr)
And life-sized face masks in the Belgian's likeness were also handed out for people to become King Kev for the night.
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Photos shared from inside the bash by event organisers show De Bruyne's Man City colleagues filling the restaurant space which became a makeshift dancefloor on the night with a DJ at the helm.
Man City's first team stars were out in force at the bash, many with their glamorous wives and partners.
That included Phil Foden with partner Becca Cooke, Bernardo Silva and wife Ines and Erling Haaland with girlfriend Isabel Haugsend Johansen.
Erling Haaland couldn't resist watching Man United on his phone at the party
(Image: @Sophiesworld_mcr)
Although it appears Haaland was rather glued to action on the pitch even at the glitzy party - as onlookers said he was watching Manchester United's defeat to Tottenham Hotspur in the Europe League final on his phone for the early part of the evening!
Event organiser Sophie Gwilliam shared pictures inside the party on her instagram.
Writing about the event in the post she said: "Was a pleasure to plan and host @kevindebruyne ‘s leaving party last night. For players, friends and family.
"Azul shots on arrival, a lot of Kev masks, and the grand room at @grandpacificrestaurants lit up all in blue - partying till 2am."
Sophie pictured with Kevin De Bruyne at his leaving party
(Image: @Sophiesworld_mcr)
She added: "What a Team. What a venue."
The squad did a pricey full-venue takeover of glam restaurant Grand Pacific, which sits inside the historic former Reform Building on the corner of Spring Gardens and King Street, for their team event.
The popular venue, originally opened by Living Ventures in Manchester, has recently been taken over by the team behind Dear Sailor, Ocasa and the newly relaunched Australasia restaurant on Spinningfields.
(Image: @Sophiesworld_mcr)
Pep Guardiola arrived by bike to the event, after looking teary-eyed on the pitch when Kevin made his leaving speech to fans at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.
De Bruyne, on the pitch with his wife and children, said on the night: "Manchester is home, Manchester is where these little kids were born.
"I came here with my wife, Michele, to stay for a long time, we didn't expect to be here 10 years. To do what we've done as a club, supporters, teammates we've won everything."
With every pause in De Bruyne's speech came rapturous applause from the fans who sang that they still want him to stay.
Kevin poses for photos at his leaving party inside Grand Pacific
(Image: @Sophiesworld_mcr)
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"I wanted to play with creativity, I wanted to play with passion. I wanted to enjoy football and I hope everyone enjoyed it," he added.
A statue has been confirmed for De Bruyne so he will be immortalised outside the Etihad Stadium. "It means I will always be part of this club," he said on the pitch.
"I always represent a small piece of that and whenever I come back with these guys and with family and friends I will be able to see myself standing around the stadium. I will always be here. We'll be back for sure soon."