Kompany, who has been a peripheral figure for much of the year, was thrust into the team for the business end of the season.
His leadership and character was viewed as vital by Pep Guardiola and the Belgian’s sensational match-winner against Leicester broadcasted his value to the club.
But after 11 years in Manchester, he and the club have decided to go their separate ways.
Signed from Hamburg in 2008 Kompany is among the club’s greatest players and has seen them grow following the arrival of their Abu Dhabi owners.
Here's to you @VincentKompany 🎶
🔵 #mancity pic.twitter.com/O03dsrzQPi
— Manchester City (@ManCity) May 19, 2019
He has made a total of 360 appearances in blue scoring 20 goals.
His match-winner against rivals Manchester United in 2012 to help City lift their first league title is perhaps the highlight in a glittering career at the Etihad.
But the emergence of Aymeric Laporte and John Stones coupled with Kompany’s age has seen he and the club opted not to continue their relationship with the 33-year-old’s contract up this summer.
It leaves Guardiola looking for another center-back, but who is likely to be on the Catalan’s mind?
Harry Maguire
The Leicester centre-back continues to grow in stature and put in an impressive performance in the Foxes’s recent trip to the Etihad.
He is a ball playing defender which is essential to Guardiola and is more than comfortable in carrying the ball into midfield and beyond.
His passing range is also an asset and he has established himself as one of England’s key defenders while attracting interest from City’s rivals United.
Matthijs De Ligt
It looks a tall order but the 19-year-old Dutchman is high on the list for the majority of Europe’s top managers looking for a defender.
The Ajax skipper is wise beyond his years and led the Amsterdam-based side to within minutes of the Champions League final.
The Eredivisie champions are set to lose a huge host of players this summer and although he would demand a considerable transfer fee he would surely be City’s first choice if they can fight off interest from the likes of Barcelona.
Toby Alderweireld
The Tottenham defender is likely to be on the move this summer especially given he is available for just £25m.
In the current market that is a bargain and the 29-year-old is in the bracket of top defenders, certainly in England.
His physicality and dominance is evident and he has been a stand out for Mauricio Pochettino’s side across a number of years.
He is perhaps slightly older than Guardiola may want, but with Stones and Laporte forming an impressive partnership earlier this year the City boss may seek out a defender who can dip in and out of the starting XI.
Fernandinho
Yes the Brazilian may already be a key part of the Etihad set up, but it is no secret he is seen as the type of player who can transition into a centre-back as he ages.
Atletico Madrid midfielder Rodri is among City’s top transfer targets this summer and his arrival could accelerate Fernandinho’s positional change.
The club are keen to keep the 34-year-old in and around the squad, but acknowledge that time catches up with us all and can squeeze a few more years out of the wise Brazilian if they reduce his work rate.