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Manchester City FC have signd England international defender John Stones for a record 56 Million Euros plus bonuses from Premier League rival Evertons FC on a six year deal.
Stones, who has been given squad number 24, becomes City’s eighth summer transfer window signing, following Ilkay Gündogan, Nolito, Aleksandar Zinchenko, Aaron Mooy, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Marlos Moreno.
The 22-year old said, “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 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.”
“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,” John Stones added.
Director of Football, Txiki Begiristain, expressed his delight at securing Stones’ signature. He said: “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.”
Manager Pep Guardiola echoed that sentiment. He added: “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.”
Seen as one of the world’s most promising centre backs, over three years at Everton, Stones has built a reputation as a ball-playing, 21st century defender, equally adept at neutralising opposition attacks as launching the first key pass out of the defensive third.
Stones represented England at Under-19, U-20 and U-21 level before making his senior international debut on May 30, 2014 in a 3-0 friendly victory over Peru at Wembley, while he made his competitive debut for the Three Lions in the Euro 2016 qualifying opener against Switzerland where Roy Hodgson’s side got off to the perfect start with a 2-0 away win and John was included in the squad for the finals this summer.
Rising up from the youth ranks at his hometown club FC Barnsley, Stones went on to make his professional debut for the Tykes against Reading on 17 March 2011, going on to make 28 appearances in total for the South Yorkshire side.
A maturity beyond his years was evident in these first steps up the professional ladder, prompting Everton to snap him up on a five-and-a-half-year deal on the final day of the 2013 January transfer window.
