Manchester City have completed the signing of Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for an initial fee of £25 million, with a further £5 million due in potential add-ons. The 29-year-old Croatian midfielder has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League champions.
Kovacic spent five years at Chelsea, making 221 appearances and winning the Champions League and Europa League during his time at Stamford Bridge. He is set to undergo a medical at the City Football Academy before joining his new teammates for the club’s pre-season tour of Japan and South Korea.
Welcome, Mateo! 🩵 pic.twitter.com/qlGd4DtqwI
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2023
Kovacic said: “This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City.
“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.
“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.”
Man City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: “Mateo is an excellent footballer.
“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.
“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.”
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has long been an admirer of Kovacic and sees his versatility across midfield as being ideal for his City side. The former Real Madrid player is expected to fit seamlessly into Guardiola’s possession-based style of play.
Kovacic’s arrival comes as City’s first signing of the summer and follows the departure of Ilkay Gundogan, who recently joined Barcelona. The Croatian international will wear the No. 8 shirt, which was recently vacated by Gundogan.
