Football Transfers: Treble winners Manchester City sign Croatian Joško Gvardiol from RB Leipzig

European and Premier League champions Manchester City have finally completed the signing of Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on Saturday, August 5. In the second most expensive transfer for a center-back, City paid a reported fee of mouth-watering $100 million to get their man. The center-back put pen to paper on Saturday for a five-year deal to become the club’s second signing in the close season.

Gvardiol puts pen to paper

Add WION as a Preferred Source

“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,” Gvardiol said during his unveiling.

Gvardiol made 87 appearances for RB Leipzig across the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, scoring five goals and winning two DFB-Pokal trophies. He has won 21 caps for Croatia, excelling in their third-place finish in the 2022 World Cup finals in Qatar.

The 21-year-old has become the second City signing this summer as he joins international teammate Mateo Kovacic. The former Champions League winner was signed from Chelsea in a deal close to $40 million as a direct replacement for departing İlkay Gündoğan.

ALSO READ |Retired Stuart Broad admits being Shaheen Afridi's 'fan', says his bowling is pleasure to watch

City’s outgoing

The deal could now see the departure of Aymeric Laporte from the Etihad Stadium with him being surplus to requirements at the club. Laporte was behind the pecking order of Jones Stones, Nathan Ake, Ruben Dias and Manuel Akanji. The club will also look to find suitors for Joao Cancelo having been asked to leave the club in January. The Portugal full-back spent the second part of last season on loan at Bayern Munich, where he won the Bundesliga.

Barcelona remain coy on the signature of Cancelo and could raise a bid in the coming days along with Bernardo Silva.

City will start their season on Sunday, August 6 against Arsenal in the Community Shield before they face Championship winners Burnley in their first Premier League match of the season.

WATCH WION LIVE HERE

You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.