Manchester City have announced the signing of midfielder Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea.
The 29-year-old has put pen to paper on a four-year contract at the Etihad Stadium until June 2027 and is believed to have joined the treble winners for an initial £25m plus £5m in add-ons.
Kovacic becomes Pep Guardiola's first signing of the summer transfer window and he will wear the No.8 shirt, vacated by club legend Ilkay Gundogan who completed his transfer to Barcelona on Monday.
Speaking to Man City's official website on his arrival at the Etihad, Kovacic said: "This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City.
"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.
He's here! 🙌 pic.twitter.com/zuyfLJLTvb
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2023
"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.
"My plan now is to rest for a few weeks before coming back to Manchester to prepare for the new season. I want to help this club stay at the top and win more trophies."
Director of football Txiki Begiristain added: "Mateo is an excellent footballer. 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.
"I am delighted he is here. This is a great signing for this club, and I am very excited to watch what he can do with Pep and the rest of our backroom team."
✍️ @mateokovacic8 pic.twitter.com/f9hWR2VCQH
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 27, 2023
Kovacic leaves Chelsea after five years at Stamford Bridge where he made a total of 221 appearances across all competitions, chipping in with six goals and 15 assists.
The 95-cap Croatia international played in the 2021 Champions League final that saw Chelsea beat Man City 1-0 in Porto, while he also got his hands on the Europa League, UEFA Super Cup and FIFA Club World Cup during his time in West London.
Before joining Chelsea, Kovacic spent three seasons with Spanish giants Real Madrid between 2015 and 2018 and won six trophies including three successive Champions Leagues and one La Liga title.
Kovacic may not be the only Croatian who could join Man City this summer, as Guardiola is believed to be keen to lure RB Leipzig defender Josko Gvardiol to the Etihad, with the 21-year-old understood to have already agreed personal terms with the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League winners.
Man City have also stepped up their pursuit of West Ham United midfielder Declan Rice, although they have allegedly seen their opening offer of £90m rejected by the Hammers.
