Manchester Metropolis accomplished their long-awaited swoop for prime switch goal Josko Gvardiol, the Premier League membership introduced on Saturday.
The 21-year-old defender joins from RB Leipzig after signing a five-year contract. The treble winners agreed a switch payment price €90 million (£77 million) to seal the deal, in accordance with Simon Stone of BBC Sport.
“I’ve all the time dreamed of at some point taking part in in England and to be doing so now with Manchester Metropolis – after the season they’ve simply had – is an actual honor for me,” Gvardiol stated after becoming a member of the reigning Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League winners. “Anybody who noticed Manchester Metropolis play final season is aware of they’re the perfect workforce on the earth. To win the treble says every thing you have to know concerning the high quality this workforce has.”
“To have the possibility to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will probably be superb for me,” Gvardiol added. “I do know I’m not but the completed article and I’m certain my sport will progress beneath the perfect coach in soccer.”
Gvardiol’s arrival was billed as doubtlessly representing a world-record payment for a defender. However, for the reason that settlement with Leipzig would not embody add-ons, Manchester United’s £80-million deal to signal Harry Maguire from Leicester Metropolis in 2019 stays the benchmark.
Welcome, Josko! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/h5twzhVNy1
— Manchester Metropolis (@ManCity) August 5, 2023
Gvardiol’s transfer to the Etihad Stadium gave the impression to be in limbo in July when Leipzig sporting director Max Eberl dismissed stories of an settlement. He additionally said Gvardiol would not be offered for lower than €100 million. The 2 sides ultimately got here to a compromise.
His addition will strengthen the left facet of Guardiola’s central protection whereas doubtlessly creating uncertainty over the way forward for Aymeric Laporte.
Together with taking part in a pivotal function in Croatia’s third-place end on the 2022 World Cup, Gvardiol appeared in 30 Bundesliga matches to assist Leipzig end third.
Gvardiol is Manchester Metropolis’s second marquee signing of the summer season following the arrival of fellow Croatian worldwide Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea in June.
“To be linking up with Mateo Kovacic may also be particular,” Gvardiol stated. “He is a prime footballer and I hope we are able to each assist Metropolis obtain one other profitable season in 2023-24 after which past.”
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