Manchester City confirm arrival of Josko Gvardiol on five-year contract
Josko Gvardiol has completed his move to Manchester City, signing a five-year deal after a fee believed to be €90m (£77.6m) was agreed with RB Leipzig.
“Manchester City are delighted to confirm the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal,” a club statement said. “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.”
“It feels good to be part of this team,” Gvardiol told the club’s official website. “I decided to join City and to become part of this club and learn from the best and of course, to be coached by the best coach in the world.” The centre-back will wear the No 24 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
“We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City,” said the club’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.”
The 21-year-old defender joked that he is glad to be on the same team as Erling Haaland, who has caused him problems in the Bundesliga and Champions League. “It’s nice to have him on my side now – last season and in the Bundesliga, he was a tough player. Luckily, I don’t have to worry about him any more!”
On Friday the Manchester City manager, Pep Guardiola, confirmed that Gvardiol was undergoing a medical at the club. “Regarding Gvardiol – what a beautiful surname he has – he’s doing a medical test,” Guardiola said. “Everybody knows he’s here, and hopefully we can finish the deal in the next hours, the next days.”
Sánchez seals £25m Chelsea move
Chelsea have completed the signing of goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton on a seven-year deal. The Blues agreed a £25m deal with Brighton on Thursday and have announced the move on their official website.
Chelsea’s co-sporting directors, Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, said: “We’re very pleased to welcome Robert to Chelsea and he adds further quality to our goalkeeping unit.”
“Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country. We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio [Pochettino] and his coaching team during the season ahead.”
Spain’s Sánchez, who made 23 Premier League appearances for Brighton last season, is expected to challenge Kepa Arrizabalaga for a starting place at Stamford Bridge.
In other news, Tottenham have signed 18-year-old centre-back Ash Phillips from Blackburn. Phillips, an England youth international, has signed a five-year contract with the Premier League club after his £2m release clause became active.