After completing a £77.8 million move from RB Leipzig, 21-year-old Croatia centre-half says Pep Guardiola’s side play at a ‘different level’
Josko Gvardiol says he has joined the club “everyone wants to avoid” playing after completing a £77.8 million move to Manchester City that sees him become the second-most expensive defender in history.
The Croatia centre-half, 21, has signed a five-year contract that will tie him to City until June 2028 after leaving RB Leipzig to pursue his long-standing dream of playing Premier League football.
Gvardiol, who will wear the No 24 shirt, is now the planet’s second-costliest defender although the huge fee falls short of the £85 million that Manchester United paid Leicester for Harry Maguire in 2019.
It remains to be seen if Gvardiol plays any part in the Community Shield against Arsenal at Wembley on Sunday, when City fans will hope to see the Croat make his debut.