Premier League champions Manchester City confirmed the signing of Josko Gvardiol from RB Leipzig on a five-year deal on Saturday.
The 21-year-old is the second signing of the summer transfer window for City after roping in Gvardiol’s fellow Croatian international Mateo Kovacic.
Gvardiol began his senior career at Dinamo Zagreb and won two Croatian League titles, one Croatian Cup and a Croatian Super Cup before moving to RB Leipzig in Germany two years later.
Gvardiol made 87 appearances for Leipzig during the 2021/22 and 2022/23 campaigns, notching up five goals and winning two DFB-Pokal trophies.
He has also bagged 21 caps for Croatia's national football team and performed well in their third-place finish in the F2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar.
“I have always dreamed of one day playing in England and to be doing so now with Manchester City – after the season they have just had – is a real honour for me,” Gvardiol said.
“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world. To win the Treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has.
“To be joining City is something very special for me and my family.
“To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing. I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.
“To be linking up with Mateo Kovacic will also be special. He’s a top footballer and I hope we can both help City achieve another successful season in 2023/24 and then beyond.”
He also said that he was relieved about that fact that he will no longer be against Haaland on the field.
“To be honest, everyone wanted to avoid City as a team last season,” said Gvardiol.
“Unfortunately, we were one of the teams who got City in the Champions League!
“We knew it is going to be hard, but it was just unbelievable.
“The way City played at home and the atmosphere, it was just a different level.
“And I said a couple of times that you guys deserved to win the Champions League.
“As for Erling Haaland, we all know what he had on us last season and congratulations to Erling.
“It's nice to have him on my side now, but yeah, last season and the season before in the Bundesliga, he was a tough player - strong, fast and he has everything to become one of the best in the world.
“Luckily I'm on his side now and I don't have to worry about him anymore!”