Barely 24 hours after telling the Otago Daily Times she would wait until after the world championships to decide her future, the defender revealed she was leaving the Southern Steel.
De Bruin is going back to the Waikato-Bay of Plenty Magic for the 2012 season.
Her departure is rough news for the Steel, which has built its defence around the Silver Fern and will now face significant rebuilding under new coaches Janine Southby and Natalie Avellino.
De Bruin has been something of a team-hopper, playing for the Mystics in 2008, the Magic in 2009 and the Steel for the last two seasons.
She lived in Invercargill last year but has been commuting from her home in Cambridge this year.
She said the shift back to the Magic was for family reasons and nothing to do with the controversial departure of long-serving Steel coach Robyn Broughton.
It had been a difficult decision but she wanted to put the interests of her family, including 20-month-old son Caleb, first.
"Having taken into account my family, lifestyle and time commitments, this is the best decision for me," she said in a release yesterday.
"You have to put your family first or I think there's something wrong with the balance. You have to do what's right for them."
Rumours have naturally been flying about a Steel player exodus in the wake of Broughton's departure, but de Bruin maintained that played no part in her decision.
"Even if Robbie was still there, I would have had the same questions and the same dilemmas. My decision is solely based on my own personal situation.
"I was in this similar position last year but because it was a short season I thought I could make it work. I felt part of a family down there [Invercargill]. I was happy there and think I still would have been. If only Invercargill was just one flight closer."
De Bruin's exceptional form this season was recognised when she shared the ANZ Championship's most valuable player award.
She leaves for Singapore on Monday with the Silver Ferns squad for the world championships.
Southern Steel chief executive Julie Paterson said the franchise was disappointed to lose a player of de Bruin's calibre.
"But we certainly respect her decision - family should always take priority, Paterson said.
"Leana was an instrumental part of our team this season and certainly would have remained so next year. While her netball talent is undeniable, she was also a valued and respected member of our franchise off the court."
