Manchester City confirms signing of centre-back Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on five-year deal

Manchester City has confirmed the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for a deal worth €90 million (£77.6m). The Croatian centre-back becomes City's second signing of the summer, signing a five-year contract. Gvardiol will now join his compatriot Mateo Kovacic at the Etihad Stadium.

“Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal. The 21-year-old becomes the second signing of the summer transfer window ahead of the 2023-24 campaign, following in the footsteps of fellow Croatian international Mateo Kovacic," the club said in a statement.

Guardiol has spent the last two seasons with Leipzig and has made 87 appearances for the German club in all competitions. The former Dinamo Zagreb player was instrumental in Croatia’s run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals in Qatar. On Friday, City boss Pep Guardiola said that he was undergoing a medical with the club and a day later his transfer has been completed.

“It feels good to be part of this team. I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me," Gvardiol told the club’s official website.

“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 this team has. To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing," he added.

He is a player we have watched closely: the club's director of football

The addition of the 21-year-old will undoubtedly strengthen the English Club's centre-back position, as Gvardiol joins John Stones, Ruben Dias, Manuel Akanji, Nathan Ake, and Aymeric Laporte as Guardiola's alternatives for the defence in the upcoming campaign.

City's director of football, Txiki Begiristain expressed his delight at acquiring the Croatian's services. “We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City. He is a player we have watched closely, and we feel he has a superb set of attributes. Top clubs all over Europe have been monitoring him, so to bring him here is great news for us," he said.