Manchester City have confirmed the signing of Croatian centre-back Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig.
The 21-year-old has joined Pep Guardiola’s side on a five-year contract until 2028 and becomes their second signing of the summer window after compatriot Mateo Kovacic.
Man City are believed to have paid €90m (£77.9m) to sign Gvardiol, who therefore becomes the second most expensive defender of all time after £80m man Harry Maguire.
“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 mancity.com.
“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. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.
“To be linking up with Mateo Kovacic will also be special. He’s a top footballer and I hope we can both help City achieve another successful season in 2023/24 and then beyond.”
A product of the Dinamo Zagreb academy, Gvardiol earned a move to Leipzig in the summer of 2021 and helped the Bundesliga giants win back-to-back DFB-Pokal titles in his two seasons at the club.
The centre-back departs with a record of five goals and three assists from 87 matches in a Leipzig jersey, and he played every minute of Croatia’s run to the 2022 World Cup semi-finals before scoring in the Chequered Ones’ third-placed playoff victory over Morocco.
“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,” director of football Txiki Begiristain added.
“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.
“Josko has so many qualities – everything you want in a centre-half. He is fast, competitive, combative, strong in the air, impressive in possession of the ball, with strong self-belief and a good character. He is left-footed, too, which offers us good options at the back.
“He is still young but his progress in the game has been rapid. We feel confident his upward trajectory will continue here at City working with Pep and his staff.”
Gvardiol will wear the number 24 shirt at Man City, and he could make his debut for the club in Sunday’s Community Shield clash with Premier League runners-up Arsenal at Wembley.
The Citizens will then open their Premier League campaign away to Burnley on August 11, five days before they face Europa League winners Sevilla in the UEFA Super Cup.
