Manchester City have completed the signing of defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig in a deal worth £77.6m.
Manchester City have completed the signing of Croatian centre defender, Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for a deal reportedly worth £77.6m.
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 who arrived from Chelsea earlier this summer.
Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that the defender was undergoing a medical ahead of their Sunday clash against Arsenal at Wembley stadium.
The former Dinamo Zagreb defender arrived at Leipzig in July 2021 for a €36.8 million deal, ending a run of a two-year stint for the Red Bulls, he leaves Germany after featuring 87 times across all competitions, scoring five goals and registering three assists.
“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.”
“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 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.”
Gvardiol’s arrival bolsters a City backline that could yet be hit by the departure of Bayern Munich target Kyle Walker who is currently rumored to be soon offered a new contract as well as Laporte, who seems like a wantaway player at the club after falling below the pecking order.
“We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City,” said City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain.
“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.”
City face Arsenal in the Community Shield at Wembley on Sunday, before beginning their Premier League title defence away to Burnley on Friday, August 11.
