Manchester City have completed the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig for a fee of €90 million.
Gvardiol has signed a five-year deal with the Citizens, which will keep him at the Etihad until at least June 2028.
Manchester City statement on the signing of Josko Gvardiol
Confirming his arrival to Manchester City, the Premier League club put out a statement on their website which reads:
“Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal”.
Josko Gvardiol joined RB Leipzig from Dinamo Zagreb on July 1, 2021 for a transfer fee of €18.8 million.
He made 87 appearances for the Red Bulls, scoring 5 goals and providing 3 assists across all competitions.
The 21-year-old was instrumental to RB Leipzig last term, helping the DFB-POKAL champions to a 3rd place finish in the German Bundesliga.
In his two-season stint at the Red Bull Arena, Gvardiol helped the German club win the DFB Pokal title on two occasions.
The former Dinamo Zagreb defender will offer depth and solidity to Pep Guardiola’s side as they hope to defend their treble – Premier League, FA Cup, and UEFA Champions League – next season.
Josko Gvardiol becomes the second signing of Manchester City this summer, having already signed fellow Croatian Mateo Kovacic.
Gvardiol has also expressed his delight at joining Manchester City, revealing that playing in England has always been a dream for him.
He said: “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.”
Josko Gvardiol had great words for Pep Guardiola
The 21-year-old spoke highly of Pep Guardiola and he expressed that he is assured that his game will improve under the Spaniard.
Gvardiol said: “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.”
Manchester City did a special unveiling video for Josko Gvardiol, with Pep Guardiola playing an active role in it.
The 28-second video showed the City manager writing “Guardiola”, before cleaning off “u” and changing it to “v” and then afterwards cleaning “a” to make the name “Gvardiol” visible.
Josko Gvardiol wouldn’t play in the community shield on Sunday, August 6, 2023, involving Manchester City and Arsenal.
However, he should feature in their opening game of the season against Burnley at Turf Moor, on the 11th of August 2023.
Gvardiol has made 21 appearances for Croatia, scoring 2 goals and providing no assists across all competitions.
He made his debut for the Checkered Ones on June 6, 2021, at 19 years, 4 months and 14 days.
The 21-year-old was impressive for his nation at the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar, helping Croatia to a 3rd-place finish at the tournament.
