England defender becomes the second long-serving player currently at the club to confirm his exit, after Bernardo Silva
John Stones will leave Manchester City at the end of the season, bringing an end to a 10-year spell at the club.
The 31-year-old defender will leave after his contract expires at the end of the season. He has made nearly 300 appearances and won 19 major trophies at the club, including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League.
Stones was one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings in 2016 and played a major role in the side’s treble win in 2023, but he has been limited to 16 appearances this season due to injury. He becomes the second long-serving player currently at the club to confirm his exit, the first being Bernardo Silva.
“It’s been my home for the past 10 years, and it’ll be my home for the rest of my life,” Stones said of City. “It’s been a rollercoaster in many ways. I came as a kid and now leaving as a man, becoming a father, a husband and, on the pitch, a very fulfilled player, I suppose, living all my dreams out and lifting all the things that I came here to achieve.
“At the start of my career, I never would have thought I’d be in this position – firstly, to achieve everything – but to have the love, the bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out the park.”
Stones began his career at Barnsley before moving to Everton in 2013. His performances there led City to sign him for close to £50m, then one of the highest fees paid for a defender.
“I don’t think it would have been anywhere [near] as successful if it wasn’t for him,” Stones said of Guardiola. “The first time that I met him, I left that moment and knew that it was what I wanted to do, where I wanted to be, playing under the best manager in the world.
“I’m so grateful I’ve been able to spend so long with him, win everything with him, and share and have so many incredible moments together.”
