adminLONDON. — English Premiership soccer side Manchester City have announced the signing of John Stones in a £47.5million deal from Everton. The England defender has signed a six-year contract and is reported to have become the second most expensive defender in history behind Paris Saint Germain and Brazil star David Luiz.He will wear the No. 24 shirt.
The 22-year old told ManCity.com: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for City and now the deal’s done I’m looking forward to the next stage in my career.
“I’ve obviously seen what’s going on here at the Etihad, it’s an ambitious club with a great manager so I can’t wait to get stuck in and help achieve the goals.
“I had a wonderful time with Everton and wish them and their fans all the best but now I’ll give my all for City.”
Speaking of the move, Stones added: “I’m shocked, speechless. It’s been a long day but I can’t really describe how I’m feeling at the moment. It’s a bit of mixed emotions and there were a lot of people to tell but it’s just excitement at the moment. I just can’t wait to get going.
“It was the manager, the team,’”Stones said as the reason for joining. “When I played City I knew they were a good team and I spoke to a lot of the guys that were here like Joe and they wanted me to come. I expressed my feelings that I wanted to come and I want to help the team win trophies.”
Manager Pep Guardiola, who has been aware of the defender for over a year and watched Chelsea’s pursuit of Stones with interest, said: “We want to help John show his quality with us and improve on what he has already achieved.
“I like the way he plays the game and I’m looking forward to welcoming him into the squad.”
Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, added: “John is an excellent young English defender and we are all really pleased he is joining us. We have worked hard to bring him to City and we feel we are signing one of the best central defenders in Europe.”
Stones said of Guardiola: “I think it’s 110 per cent the right decision to play under him. I can’t wait to train with the best and improve day in day out. He’s a winner and that’s what’s going to rub off on everyone.”
News of Stones’ imminent move to Eastlands had leaked out earlier in the day when UEFA’s website included the 22-year-old centre-back City’s squad for next week’s Champions League play-off against Steaua Bucharest.
City responded by quickly announcing the deal, which puts Stones behind only Luiz as the most expensive defender the game has ever seen.
Luiz moved to Paris Saint Germain from Chelsea for £50 million in 2014 and has won two successive French titles, a feat that Stones is keen to emulate with City once he is established in the team.
“I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I’m determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success,” Stones said.
“I had a wonderful time with Everton and wish them and their fans all the best but now I’ll give my all for City.”
Stones’ signing takes City manager Guardiola’s spending to well over £100 million since he arrived from Bayern Munich in the close-season.
Guardiola, who has also signed Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Alexander Zinchenko, believes Stones perfectly fits his philosophy of having defenders who are as good in possession as they are in the tackle.
Stones, who has won 10 England caps, had hoped to join Chelsea last year and had a transfer request rejected when the London club’s bids were snubbed by Everton.
But Everton have finally relented and allowed their prize asset to leave Goodison Park as City flexed their financial muscles just hours after bitter rivals Manchester United completed a world record £89 million swoop for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba.
Stones’ arrival is a huge boost for Guardiola ahead of City’s Premier League opener at home to Sunderland on Saturday.
Guardiola had limited options at centre-back with Vincent Kompany, Eliaquim Mangala and Nicolas Otamendi all struggling with injuries, and only the latter has been included in the Champions League squad for the Steaua clash. In City’s pre-season friendlies, midfielder Fernando and left-back Aleksandar Kolarov have been shuffled into the heart of the defence, with Belgian youngster Jason Denayer, yet to make a senior appearance for City, Guardiola’s only other option.
Stones should solve those issues if he can continue his impressive development after emerging as one of England’s brightest young talents at Everton following a £3 million move from Barnsley in 2013.
Everton have, meanwhile, agreed a £12m fee for Ashley Williams with the Swansea captain set for a medical late yesterday, according to Sky sources.
He was expected to travel to Merseyside later yesterday afternoon to complete the move and sign a two-year deal. — AFP.
Online Reporter