Manchester City has announced that Josko Gvardiol has signed a new long-term contract, extending his stay at the club until 2031. The Croatian international joined City from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and has since established himself as a key defender for the team.
Gvardiol, who is 24 years old, has made 122 appearances for City, contributing 13 goals. During his time at the club, he has been part of squads that secured six major honours, including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield.
The defender expressed his enthusiasm about the new deal, stating that he felt it was what he wanted as soon as he learned of City’s interest in renewing his contract. He highlighted the support from the fans and the club’s comprehensive provisions for players, calling it the best club globally. Gvardiol also praised the squad’s youth, potential, and world-class quality, expressing confidence in future successes.
Commitment to retaining talent
Hugo Viana, City’s Director of Football, commented on the contract extension, emphasising the club’s belief in Gvardiol’s abilities. Viana described Gvardiol as a young, outstanding professional and one of the world’s best defenders. He noted City’s commitment to retaining top talent, which made the agreement on the new contract particularly satisfying.
Viana further elaborated on Gvardiol’s attributes, highlighting his versatility across multiple defensive positions, speed, strength, and attacking prowess. He also commended Gvardiol’s impressive conduct and determination to excel, aligning with the club’s overall vision.
Gvardiol’s career trajectory has seen him develop significantly since his move to the Etihad. He arrived with a reputation as a promising young talent, having previously played for Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig. His debut season at City included helping the team win the 2023 UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus, Athens, where they defeated Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw.
Later that year, Gvardiol was part of the squad that became 2023 FIFA Club World Cup champions, featuring as a substitute in a 4-0 victory over Fluminense. He scored his first City goal in a 3-3 UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Real Madrid and later scored a brace in a 4-0 win at Fulham, which was crucial in securing the 2023/24 Premier League title.
Overcoming challenges and looking ahead
Gvardiol continued to perform strongly during the 2024/25 campaign, making 55 appearances, the most of any player that term. Despite a season marked by injuries for the team, his consistent performance led to him being voted City’s official Player of the Season. He also contributed to the team winning the 2024 Community Shield and reaching a third consecutive FA Cup final after a key goal in a semi-final against Nottingham Forest.
His progress was interrupted in the first half of last season when he sustained a broken shinbone in a 1-1 home draw with Chelsea in early January, sidelining him for much of the campaign. However, he recovered to play at the end of the season and was included in the Croatia squad for the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup.
Before his contract extension, Gvardiol had been linked with other major clubs, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. City reportedly paid €90 million to bring him from RB Leipzig in 2023. The new contract with City is understood to include a substantial pay rise, making the extension more appealing to the player.
Gvardiol was a regular starter under former coach Pep Guardiola, who departed at the end of the recently concluded season. He is now focused on being fully fit for the start of the new Premier League season, which begins on 23 August against Bournemouth. He anticipates achieving significant success with the new coach, Enzo Maresca.
Source: mancity.com
