His arrival compensates for the loss of Gundogan, who departed on a free transfer to Barcelona after seven years at City.
By Akpele Doubra:
On Tuesday, Manchester City made an announcement stating that they have successfully finalized the acquisition of Croatian midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea, following the departure of their captain, Ilkay Gundogan.
The team, who recently achieved a treble victory, disclosed that the 29-year-old midfielder has signed a four-year contract. The two clubs reportedly agreed upon an initial transfer fee of £25 million ($32 million), with an additional £5 million possible in add-ons.
Kovacic, who spent five years at Chelsea, where he won both the Champions League and the Europa League and made 221 appearances, now joins Pep Guardiola’s squad. His arrival compensates for the loss of Gundogan, who departed on a free transfer to Barcelona after seven years at City.
Expressing his enthusiasm about the move, Kovacic stated, “I’m thrilled about this opportunity and eager to begin my journey with City. Those who have observed this team under Pep’s guidance know their exceptional capabilities. In my opinion, they are the finest in the world. Their numerous trophies speak for themselves, and they exemplify the epitome of football.”
Kovacic, who has triumphed in the Champions League on four occasions, having previously experienced success three times with Real Madrid before his time at Chelsea, is City’s first signing of the transfer window. He commenced his professional career at Dinamo Zagreb and also spent a period with Inter Milan. Additionally, he has earned 95 caps representing his country.
Txiki Begiristain, the director of football at Manchester City, praised Kovacic’s versatility, stating, “He possesses the ability to excel as a ‘six’ or an ‘eight’, boasts significant experience at elite clubs, and understands the intricacies of the Premier League. Bringing him to City was a straightforward decision because he embodies the tactical and technical qualities we seek in a midfielder.”
NAN
