Key Takeaways
- John Stones will leave Manchester City when his current contract ends this summer
- The England centre-back won 19 major trophies during his nine years at the Etihad Stadium
- Stones thanked manager Pep Guardiola for helping him grow from a young player into a fulfilled champion
England international John Stones has confirmed he will depart Manchester City at the end of the season. The defender’s contract expires this summer, closing a remarkable nine-year chapter at the Etihad Stadium.
Stones arrived from Everton in August 2016 for £47.5 million. At that time, he became the world’s second most expensive defender. He has since made 293 appearances for the club.
During his time in Manchester, the 30-year-old has collected 19 major honours. These include six Premier League titles, one Champions League trophy, two FA Cups, five League Cups, three Community Shields, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup.
In an emotional message on social media, Stones called the club his home. He reflected on his personal journey, explaining he arrived as a young man and now leaves as a husband, father, and successful player.
“I lived all my dreams,” Stones wrote. He added that every goal he set when joining the club had been achieved.
Stones also paid special tribute to manager Pep Guardiola. He was the Spanish coach’s second signing after Guardiola took charge in 2016. The defender said his success would not have been possible without the manager’s guidance.
“I don’t think it would have been anywhere near as successful without him,” Stones said. He described feeling lucky to have worked with Guardiola for so many years.