Manchester City have announced the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
Following the exit of club captain Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona, the European champions and Treble winners have acted swiftly to secure Croatia international Kovacic’s services on a four-year deal.
“This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City,” said Kovacic, who will take Gundogan’s No8 shirt at the Etihad Stadium.
“Anyone who has watched this team under Pep [Guardiola] 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. To be joining this squad really is a dream for any footballer.
“I still have plenty of learning and developing to do, and I know under Pep’s management I can become a better player, which is really exciting for me.
“My plan now is to rest for a few weeks before coming back to Manchester to prepare for the new season. I want to help this club stay at the top and win more trophies.”
City will pay an initial £25million for Kovacic, who had a year left on his contract at Chelsea, with an additional £5m agreed in add-ons.
The 29-year-old underwent his medical on Friday before putting pen to paper, making him the latest of a raft of player sales the Blues are set to complete this summer.
Pressure to adhere to Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules will see £130m worth of players cashed in on by the club, with Kai Havertz, Hakim Ziyech and Edouard Mendy among those set to depart, following the likes of Kalidou Koulibaly out the door.
Welcome, Mateo! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/qlGd4DtqwI
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2023
Commenting on Kovacic’s arrival, City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Mateo is an excellent footballer.
“He can play as a 6 or an 8, 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.
“He is someone we have monitored for a very long time and always we were impressed whenever we watched him.
“I am delighted he is here. This is a great signing for this club, and I am very excited to watch what he can do with Pep and the rest of our backroom team.”
