NewsIndia

By Ishaan Kapoor — 28 July 2026 — 4 min read

Manchester City has announced that defender Josko Gvardiol has signed a new contract with the club. The Croatian international’s new deal extends until 2031, securing his long-term future at the Etihad.

Gvardiol, who joined Manchester City from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, has become a key player for the team. He has made 122 appearances for the club, scoring 13 goals. During his time at City, he has contributed to the team winning six major honours, including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield.

The 24-year-old defender has also been a regular for the Croatian national team, earning 52 caps. He was part of the Croatia squad that participated in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals.

Gvardiol’s Journey and Impact

Gvardiol expressed his enthusiasm about the new contract, stating that he felt it was what he wanted as soon as he learned of City’s desire to renew his deal. He praised the club’s support for players and the fans’ reception since his arrival. He also highlighted the quality of the squad, describing it as young, full of potential, and world-class, anticipating future success.

Hugo Viana, Manchester City‘s Director of Football, underscored the club’s belief in Gvardiol. Viana described him as a young, outstanding professional and one of the best defenders globally. He noted Gvardiol’s versatility, speed, strength, and attacking prowess, aligning with the club’s vision for its defenders. Viana also commended Gvardiol’s conduct and determination to excel.

Gvardiol’s arrival at Manchester City in 2023, at the age of 21, followed successful periods at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, where he established a reputation as a promising young talent. His debut season at City demonstrated his ability to adapt to the demands of the Premier League and a new environment.

His first appearance for City saw him help secure the 2023 UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus, Athens, where City defeated Sevilla 5-4 in a penalty shoot-out after a 1-1 draw. Later that year, he featured in City’s 4-0 victory over Fluminense, which crowned them 2023 FIFA Club World Cup champions.

Gvardiol scored his first goal for City in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final match away at Real Madrid, which ended in a 3-3 draw. In May 2024, he scored his first brace for the club, contributing to a crucial 4-0 win against Fulham, a result that was instrumental in City securing the 2023/24 Premier League title over Arsenal.

The 2024/25 campaign saw Gvardiol continue his strong form, making 55 appearances, the most of any player that season. Despite a challenging season due to various injuries within the squad, Gvardiol’s consistent performance led to him being voted City’s official Player of the Season. He also helped the team win the 2024 Community Shield and scored a key goal in an FA Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest, guiding City to a third consecutive FA Cup final.

Looking Ahead

Gvardiol’s progress was interrupted by a broken shinbone sustained in early January during a 1-1 home draw with Chelsea, which sidelined him for a significant portion of the season. However, he recovered to feature at the end of the season and joined the Croatia squad for the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup.

The new contract comes after reports of interest from other major European clubs, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid. Manchester City reportedly paid €90 million to bring Gvardiol from RB Leipzig in 2023. The club is understood to have made the contract extension more attractive with a substantial pay rise.

Gvardiol aims to be fully fit for the start of the new Premier League season, which begins on 23 August against Bournemouth. He expressed optimism about working with the new coach, Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola at the end of the recent season, believing they can achieve significant accomplishments together.

Gvardiol’s season-by-season statistics since 2019/20 illustrate his development:

• 2019/20 (Dinamo Zagreb): Played: 15, Goals: 1, Assists: 1
• 2020/21 (Dinamo Zagreb): Played: 41, Goals: 3, Assists: 3
• 2021/22 (RB Leipzig): Played: 46, Goals: 2, Assists: 3
• 2022/23 (RB Leipzig): Played: 41, Goals: 3, Assists: 0
• 2023/24 (City): Played: 42, Goals: 5, Assists: 3
• 2024/25 (City): Played: 55, Goals: 6, Assists: 2
• 2025/26 (City): Played: 25, Goals: 2, Assists: 5

With his future secured, Gvardiol is now focused on contributing his talents to Manchester City‘s pursuit of further success in the upcoming 2026/27 season and beyond.

Source: mancity.com