By Samuel A. August 5, 2023
Manchester City have completed the signing of Leipzig and Croatian defender, Josko Gvardiol, in a deal worth €90m (£77.6m). The Manchester club won the race for Croatia international, amid interest from Liverpool, Chelsea and Real Madrid. Gvardiol underwent a physical on Friday and has now signed a five year deal with the treble winners.
Pep Guardiola revealed on Friday that the 21 year old was undergoing a medical ahead of his arrival. He becomes City’s second signing of the summer after fellow Croatia international Mateo Kovacic was signed to replace the captain of the club, Ilkay Gundogan, as he moved to Catalan club, Barcelona on a free transfer after his contract expired.
The former Zagreb and Leipzig defender told City’s website: “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. Linking up with Mateo Kovacic would 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.”
Txiki Begiristain, City’s director of football, added: “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. 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.”
The club is still looking for an option to replace Riyadh Mahrez, who moved to Saudi Arabian side, Al Alhi in a £30m deal.
