Man City confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for £78m – as a defender joins compatriot Mateo Kovacic at the Etihad on a five-year deal
- Manchester City has taken over Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig
- The 21-year-old is the club’s second signing in this summer transfer window
- Gvardiol will wear the number 24 shirt for the club at the Etihad next season
Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Josko Gvardiol for £78 million on a five-year deal from Bundesliga side RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old will be the Premier League champions’ second signing this summer, joining compatriot Mateo Kovacic at the Etihad, and will wear the number 24 shirt.
Gvardiol, who was part of the Croatian team that secured a bronze medal at the 2022 World Cup last December, won two German Cups while in Germany and will strengthen the Cityzens’ already stacked centre-back squad.
“I’ve always dreamed of playing in England one day and to do that now at Manchester City – after the season they’ve just had – is a great honor for me.” said Gvardiol.
“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win, the Treble says everything you need to know about the quality of this team.
The 21-year-old defender signs a five-year contract with Manchester City until 2028.
Pep Guardiola has picked up the highly talented player to bolster his impressive defence
Gvardiol joins his compatriot Mateo Kovacic at the Etihad after his arrival from Chelsea
“Coming to City is something very special for me and my family. To also be able to work with Pep Guardiola will be great for me. I know I’m not the finished article yet and I’m sure my game will improve under the best coach in football.
“The connection with Mateo Kovacic will also be special. He is a top football player and I hope we can both help City to have another successful season in 2023/24 and beyond.”
City face the daunting task of following up on their near-perfect campaign from last season, which saw them achieve a historic Treble, including a coveted first-ever Champions League crown.
Boss Pep Guardiola anticipated the difficulty of recreating last year’s exploits during his pre-Community Shield press conference on Friday, as he confirmed the Croatian defender was undergoing his medical.
Gvardiol anchored the defense of a RB Leipzig side that won back-to-back German Cups
Txiki Begiristain, now confirmed as Cityzen, was quick to hail a player the club says has ‘everything you want in a centre-back’.
“We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City,” he said. “He’s a player we’ve been watching very closely and we think he has fantastic qualities. Top clubs across Europe are watching him, so to bring him here is great news for us.
‘Josko has so many qualities, everything you look for in a central defender. He is fast, competitive, combative, strong in the air, impressive in possession, with strong confidence and good character. He is also left-footed, which gives us good opportunities at the back.
“He is still young, but his progress in the game has been rapid. We are confident that his upward trajectory will continue here at City in partnership with Pep and his staff.”
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