John Stones joins Manchester City from Everton for a record fee
John Stones has completed his move to Manchester City in a £47.5m deal on a six-year contract.
The fee, which makes Stones the most expensive defender in Premier League history, will increase to £50m with add-ons.
City announced the transfer had been completed shortly after UEFA revealed the club had included Stones in their Champions League squad for the playoff with Steaua Bucharest, with the first leg taking place on Wednesday.
Stones could make his City debut in the Premier League opener against Sunderland on Saturday, which will be Pep Guardiola’s first official game in charge, and the 22-year-old said he cannot wait to make his debut.
We are delighted to announce the signing of John Stones https://t.co/vLYKEPByQZ #WelcomeJohn pic.twitter.com/Qs4Ab0UN45
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2016
Stones told the club’s website: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for City and now the deal’s done I’m looking forward to the next stage in my career.
“I’ve obviously seen what’s going on here at the Etihad, it’s an ambitious Club with a great manager so I can’t wait to get stuck in and help achieve the goals.
“I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I’m determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success.
“I had a wonderful time with Everton and wish them and their fans all the best but now I’ll give my all for City.”
City boss Pep Guardiola added: “We want to help John show his quality with us and improve on what he has already achieved.
“I like the way he plays the game and I’m looking forward to welcoming him into the squad.”
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, said he was delighted to sign the former Barnsley player. “John is an excellent young English defender and we are all really pleased he is joining us,” he said.
“We have worked hard to bring him to City and we feel we are signing one of the best central defenders in Europe.”
Guardiola added: “We want to help John show his quality with us and improve on what he has already achieved.
“I like the way he plays the game and I’m looking forward to welcoming him into the squad.”
Stones, who will take squad No 24, becomes City’s eighth signing of the summer transfer window, following Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Aleksandar Zinchenko, Aaron Mooy, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno.
