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.”
The centre-back has spent the last two seasons at Leipzig, making 87 appearances in all competitions, after joining the German club from Dinamo Zagreb. and was key to Croatia’s run to the World Cup semi-finals in Qatar at the end of last year.
“It feels good to be part of this team,” Gvardiol told the club’s official website. “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.
“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world,” Gvardiol, who will wear the No 24 shirt, added. “To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has.”
“To be joining City is something very special for me and my family. 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.”
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!”
“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.”
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 Sánchez 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.
Leeds have brought full-back Sam Byram back to the club after his departure from Norwich. The 29-year-old has agreed a one-year deal and reunites with Daniel Farke, who previously managed Byram at Carrow Road.
Crystal Palace have made Matheus França their second signing of the summer after securing the Brazilian attacking midfielder, who has signed a five-year contract, in a deal worth up to £26m. The 19-year-old won both the Copa Libertadores and Copa do Brasil with Flamengo last year but has now moved to the Premier League to follow Jefferson Lerma in becoming a new recruit at Selhurst Park.
Palace chairman Steve Parish told the club website: “Matheus is a young and exciting player whose impressive early progress we have followed with keen interest, and we are delighted to welcome him to the club.
“Palace have a long history of attacking players with skill, pace and tenacity, and I am sure Matheus will be another popular addition to the nucleus of this young and entertaining squad, packed full of international talent and potential, that we are building here in south London.”
