Kevin De Bruyne Cup

The Kevin De Bruyne Cup, abbreviated KDB Cup, is an international Belgian football tournament for players under the age of 15, which has existed since 2016. The tournament takes place annually at the end of May or beginning of June on the grounds of KVE Drongen in Drongen near Ghent. Professional footballer Kevin De Bruyne gave his name to the tournament and is involved in the organization, which is entirely in the hands of volunteers.

History

Kevin De Bruyne grew up in Drongen. He went to school there and was affiliated to KVV Drongen until 1999, at that time one of the three Drongen football clubs. In 1999, he swapped the club for KAA Gent after which a highly successful career would follow. His parents and sister continued to live in Drongen.
In 2014, it was decided to get Kevin De Bruyne and his family back involved with the club, and to organize an international youth tournament. On 27 August 2015, the NPO KDB was established. This loose NPO would organize the first edition in close cooperation with KVE Drongen in 2016.
From the very beginning, a high-profile tournament was set up, in which football talents of the future could be seen at work. Many of the young talents subsequently grow into their club's A squad or are among the most sought-after young players in Europe such as Jamal Musiala of Chelsea, Gonçalo Ramos and Úmaro Embaló of Benfica, Moriba Kourouma of FC Barcelona and Jérémy Doku of RSC Anderlecht.
The event attracts up to 15,000 visitors.