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See the full story · 1 sourcesGvardiol pens new deal
Josko Gvardiol has signed a new five-year contract, a deal which will extend his stay at Manchester City through to the summer of 2031.
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Since making the move to the Etihad from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, the Croatian international has gone on to establish himself as one of European football’s finest defenders.
A superbly gifted central defender, the 24-year-old has also demonstrated his world-class talent when deployed as a left-back.
To date, Gvardiol has made 122 appearances for the Club, weighing in with 13 goals.
In that time, he has helped City to win six major honours, a trophy haul that features the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup and Community Shield.
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Gvardiol has also become a mainstay of the Croatian national team, winning 52 caps to date, and was part of the Croatia squad at the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.
With his long-term future now secured, Gvardiol says he is hugely excited to play his part in the Club’s quest to achieve yet more success looking to next season and beyond.
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On signing his new deal, Gvardiol said: “As soon as I knew City wanted to renew my contract, I felt straight away it was what I wanted.
“The City fans have been unbelievable with me from day one - and the club provide absolutely everything for players. It’s the best club in the world to be at.
“I have felt so much love and respect during my three years here and I don’t take that for granted.
“The players we have here are amazing. This is a world-class squad that is young and full of potential. I truly believe we will have a lot of success in the coming years.”
Director of Football Hugo Viana added: “Josko is a player this Club really believes in. He is young, an outstanding professional and already one of the best defenders in the world.
“Manchester City are committed to keeping our best talent, which is why we are so happy this new contract has been agreed.
“Josko epitomises what we want in our defenders - he can play multiple positions, is quick, strong and when he attacks he does it superbly. He is exceptional.
“But the way he conducts himself is also very impressive. This is a young man determined to be the best he can be - an approach that is totally aligned with our overall vision.
“I want to congratulate Josko on this new deal and everyone at City is now focused on ensuring he maximises his potential.”
The complete defender
If you wanted to build an identikit of the perfect defender, Josko Gvardiol more than fits the bill.
A tall, imposing figure, blessed with power, pace and great technical ability allied to possessing the tactical flexibility to play either at the heart of defence or as a cultured left-back, in his three years at Manchester City to date the Croatian has proved a dream addition.
A cool, calm, collected figure on the field, Gvardiol has also developed the uncanny knack of weighing in with vital goals – often in spectacular fashion, a facet of his game that only adds to the sense that here is a special defender indeed.
That has been borne out in the way his career has taken full flight ever since he first made the move to the Etihad in the summer of 2023.
Though only 21 at the time, Gvardiol arrived at City already armed with the reputation of being one of European football’s most exciting young talents after blossoming at first Dinamo Zagreb and then RB Leipzig.
His maiden season at City illustrated just why had had been so admired and coveted across the continent.
Despite the challenge of moving to both a new country and culture along with adapting to the fierce, unique demands of the Premier League, Gvardiol literally hit the ground running.
His debut saw Josko help City to claim the 2023 UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus, Athens where the Blues overcame Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after the sides had drawn 1-1.
A second piece of silverware quickly followed in December of that year with Gvardiol featuring as a substitute in City’s 4-0 victory over Fluminense which saw us crowned 2023 FIFA Club World Cup champions.
Later that season, Gvardiol also claimed his first City goal in memorable fashion, despatching a spectacular strike in a dramatic 3-3 UEFA Champions League quarter-final clash away at Real Madrid.
Josko also struck the first brace of his City career in May 2024 to help secure a vital 4-0 victory at Fulham which proved key in ensuring the Club overhauled Arsenal to secure the 2023/24 Premier League title.
Gvardiol continued to go from strength to strength across the 2024/25 campaign.
Though a raft of injuries meant it proved a testing season overall, it proved a season to savour individually with the Croatian’s consistency and all-round excellence also seeing him voted as City’s official Player of the Season.
He figured more times than anyone else that term making 55 appearances in total.
Gvardiol also helped the side claim the 2024 Community Shield, whilst another key goal in an FA Cup semi-final triumph against Nottingham Forest helped pilot City to a third successive FA Cup final.
That progress continued across the first half of last season before a broken shinbone sustained in a 1-1 home draw with Chelsea in early January sidelined Gvardiol for the bulk of the rest of the campaign.
However, he recovered in time to figure for City at the tail end of the season and also took his place in the Croatia squad that is now currently in action at the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup.
With his future secured, Gvardiol will now be focused on bringing his special talent to bear as the Club embark on the quest for more success looking to the 2026/27 season and beyond…
Season by Season stats
2019/20: Dinamo Zagreb
Played: 15
Goals: 1
Assists: 1
2020/21: Dinamo Zagreb
Played: 41
Goals: 3
...
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