Josko Gvardiol’s first words as a Man City player after £77.5m signing and squad number confirmed

Josko Gvardiol has completed his £77.5m transfer to Manchester City from RB Leipzig, strengthening the defence for the next five years.

Josko Gvardiol looks set to improve under Pep Guardiola after joining Manchester City for £77.5million. The 21-year-old Croatian has signed a five-year contract until the summer of 2028 and will expand Guardiola’s defensive options ahead of a season in which City are expected to field six central defenders in the second row.

He will wear the number 24 shirt at Etihad . After sealing his transfer, Gvardiol described playing for City as an honor and his dream was to move to the Premier League.

In a warning to rivals City, the youngster stressed he was far from finished and had joined the club with a bid to win more trophies.

After witnessing City score a hat-trick, Gvardiol said there couldn’t be a better time for a move to the Etihad and expressed his intention to help his new team-mates defend their historic three titles.

He said: “It has always been my dream to play for England one day and to do it now – after this season – for Manchester City is a real honor for me.” saw him play last season knows he knows that.” are the best team in the world.

Winning the treble says everything you need to know about the quality of this team. Joining City is special for me and my family. “Working with Pep Guardiola will be great for me.”I know I’m not finished with the article and I’m sure my game will grow under the guidance of the best football manager.

“Especially after the perfect season last season – I decided to join you and become one of you, to learn from the best and to be coached by the best coach in the world. Especially Kova [Mateo Kovacic] too – he joined as well. I’m happy to be here.”

As well as the Guardiola factor, Gvardiol believes his own playing style should suit City’s seamlessly, and vowed to improve under his new manager.

“I’m the guy who likes challenges and I wanted to experience something new in my career,” he said. “I definitely wanted to be coached by the best coach in the world – to learn something new and improve myself as a player and of course as a person.

“It’s good that this is the way we play – possession with the ball. It’s one of the reasons why I’m here and I hope this type of play is going to fit for me.”

Gvardiol, though, is not expecting City’s treble defence to be easy, even if he has full confidence in his new team to continue to be successful.

“I expect a tough league. Big names and big players. I’m here to achieve a lot of things with this team and to win as much as possible,” he insisted.

“I can’t wait to join the team and learn from the best. I’m going to be surrounded by world class players and it’s a pleasure to be here. I can’t wait to start training and to meet my teammates. I’m going to need some time to get into the training, but it won’t take long, I hope. The season starts soon so I have to be ready and fit.

“I believe every game is hard here. Every day is a new challenge and a new opportunity to win something and to achieve something. The guys know their qualities and they are full of confidence – I believe in them.”