EPL

Man City sign Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea

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Manchester City have announced the signing of Croatia midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea following the departure of captain Ilkay Gundogan.

The treble winners announced that the 29-year-old had signed a four-year contract after the clubs agreed on an initial fee of £25 million ($32 million), with a potential £5 million in add-ons.

Kovacic joins Pep Guardiola’s team after five years at Chelsea, where he won the Champions League and the Europa League and appeared in 221 games.

He is City’s first signing of the transfer window, and his arrival offsets the departure of Gundogan, who left the club on a free transfer on Monday after seven years.

“This is a brilliant move for me and I cannot wait to get started with City,” said Kovacic.

“Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are. For me, they are the best in the world.

“The trophies they have won are clear for all to see, but they are also the best footballing side out there.”

Kovacic is a four-time Champions League winner, having won the competition three times with Real Madrid before joining the Blues.

The midfielder, who began his career with Dinamo Zagreb before moving on to Inter Milan, has 95 caps for Croatia.

Txiki Begiristain, the city director of football, described Kovacic as a versatile player.

“He can play as a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’, has plenty of experience at top-level clubs and he understands the Premier League.

“It was a very simple decision to bring him to City because he has the tactical and technical qualities we are looking for in a midfielder.”