Manchester City have signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
The 29-year-old Croatian midfielder becomes Man City’s first acquisition of the summer transfer window, agreeing a four-year deal.
He's here! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zuyfLJLTvb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2023
“This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City,” Kovacic told Man City's official website.
“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."
City's director of football Txiki Begiristain added: “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."
Kovacic joins last season’s Treble-winners after five seasons with Chelsea, where he played 221 times in all competitions.
He won the UEFA Champions League with the Blues in 2020/21, beating his new club Man City in the final to earn his fourth winner’s medal in the competition after three successes with Real Madrid.
Kovacic also won the UEFA Europa League with Chelsea in 2018/19, plus the UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup in 2021/22.
He has been capped 95 times for Croatia, helping his country to finish runners-up in the 2018 FIFA World Cup and then third in the 2022 World Cup.
Man City fans could get their first glimpse of Kovacic in pre-season when they face Yokohama F Marinos on 23 July.
The champions start their defence of the Premier League title on Friday 11 August against Burnley.
