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Manchester City sign Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig

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Manchester City have completed the signing of Croatia defender Josko Gvardiol on a five-year deal from RB Leipzig for £77 million.

No money details were given, but it is thought that Pep Guardiola’s team has agreed to pay 90 million euros ($99 million) for the Croatian player.

Gvardiol, who is 21 years old, has done well in his two seasons at Leipzig. He moved there in July 2021 from Dynamo Zagreb.

“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,” said Gvardiol of joining a team which won the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League last year.

“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the Treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has.”

Gvardiol is the second player Man City has signed for the 2023–24 season. Mateo Kovacic, who is also from Croatia, was the first.

“To be joining City is something very special for me and my family,” continued Gvardiol.

“To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing for me.

“I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.

“To be linking up with Mateo Kovacic will also be special. He’s a top footballer and I hope we can both help City achieve another successful season in 2023/24 and then beyond.”

Gvardiol played for Leipzig for two seasons and won back-to-back German Cups. He was capped 21 times for Croatia.

Before moving to the Bundesliga, he won two league titles with Zagreb.

City will now have six experienced central defenders, but Guardiola says that’s not a problem given how hard the season has been.

“The season is so long, there is many, many games. It is absolutely not too many,” Guardiola told journalists ahead of Sunday’s Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley.

“We are very happy to bring Josko to Manchester City,” said City 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.

“Josko has so many qualities – everything you want in a centre-half. He is fast, competitive, combative, strong in the air, impressive in possession of the ball, with strong self-belief and a good character. He is left-footed, too, which offers us good options at the back.

“He is still young but his progress in the game has been rapid. We feel confident his upward trajectory will continue here at City working with Pep and his staff.”