It is done and it is official. Joško Gvardiol has signed a new five-year contract, a deal which extends his stay at Manchester City through to the summer of 2031. The agreement, which had been verbally in place since June, is now fully confirmed — ending any speculation over the Croatian’s future at the Etihad Stadium once and for all.
Gvardiol becomes the third City star in a week to sign fresh terms, following Phil Foden and Abdukodir Khusanov.
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The Road to the Renewal
The path to this agreement had been building for some time. Several clubs across Europe were interested in Gvardiol, but he verbally agreed to remain at City before jetting off for the World Cup, and returned to Manchester earlier this week to finalise the deal.
During negotiations, Gvardiol was guaranteed a place as one of the most important players in the squad as City prepare for a new era. Club officials reportedly see Gvardiol, Phil Foden, and Erling Haaland as the three key players around whom the next generation of the squad will be built.
The new agreement ends all speculation over Gvardiol’s future and sends an unmistakable signal of intent from the club heading into a pivotal new chapter.
Contract Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Player | Joško Gvardiol |
| Club | Manchester City |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Age | 24 |
| Position | Centre-Back / Left-Back |
| Contract Type | Long-Term Extension |
| Contract Duration | Five Years |
| New Contract Expiry | June 2031 |
| Previous Contract Expiry | 2028 |
| Joined Man City | August 2023 |
| Fee Paid (2023) | €90 million |
A Player Built for the Etihad
The 24-year-old joined Manchester City from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023, arriving as one of the most sought-after young defenders in European football after a sequence of performances at the World Cup in Qatar that announced him as a generational talent in the making.
Since making the move to the Etihad from RB Leipzig, the Croatian international has established himself as one of European football’s finest defenders. A superbly gifted central defender, he has also demonstrated his world-class talent when deployed as a left-back.
The Croatia international was named City’s Player of the Year in the 2024-25 campaign, and his ability, mentality, and versatility are three of the key reasons why the club wanted to tie him down to an extended contract.
Gvardiol at Manchester City — The Stats
To date, Gvardiol has made 122 appearances for the club, weighing in with 13 goals. In that time, he has helped City win six major honours — a trophy haul that features the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield.
| Stat | Figure |
|---|---|
| Total Appearances | 122 |
| Goals Scored | 13 |
| Trophies Won | 6 |
| Player of the Year Awards | 1 (2024-25) |
| Year Joined | 2023 |
Trophies Won at Manchester City
| Trophy | Season |
|---|---|
| Premier League | 2023-24 |
| FA Cup | 2023-24 |
| League Cup | — |
| FIFA Club World Cup | — |
| UEFA Super Cup | — |
| Community Shield | — |
What the Club Said
City’s Director of Football Hugo Viana was full of praise for the Croatian upon confirming the deal. “Josko is a player this Club really believes in. He is young, an outstanding professional and already one of the best defenders in the world,” Viana said.
The club described Gvardiol as fitting “the identikit of the perfect defender” — a tall, imposing figure blessed with power, pace, and great technical ability, with the tactical flexibility to play either at the heart of defence or as a cultured left-back.
What Gvardiol Said
The man himself made his feelings crystal clear. “As soon as I knew City wanted to renew my contract, I felt straight away it was what I wanted,” Gvardiol said. “It’s the best club in the world to be at.”
“I’ve felt so much love and respect during my three years here and don’t take that for granted. The players we have are amazing. This is a world-class squad, young and full of potential. I truly believe we’ll have a lot of success in the coming years.”
What Comes Next
Gvardiol is expected to feature in City’s upcoming pre-season tour of Asia, where the squad will play matches in Hong Kong and Seoul. With his long-term future now secured, the Croatian will head into the new season with full focus and zero distraction — exactly what manager Enzo Maresca will be counting on as he builds his squad around the Etihad’s most prized defensive asset.
FAQs
Has Joško Gvardiol’s new Manchester City contract been officially confirmed?
Yes. Manchester City have officially confirmed that Joško Gvardiol has signed a new long-term contract. The agreement, verbally in place since June, has now been formally completed and announced by the club.
How long is Gvardiol’s new contract at Manchester City?
Gvardiol has signed a new five-year contract that will keep him at the Etihad Stadium until June 2031, with reports also suggesting the deal includes the option of a further one-year extension.
Why was Gvardiol’s renewal so important for Manchester City?
Gvardiol is considered one of the three foundational players — alongside Phil Foden and Erling Haaland — around whom City’s next era will be built. He was also the club’s Player of the Year in 2024-25, making his renewal a top priority.
How many appearances and goals has Gvardiol recorded for Manchester City?
Since joining in 2023, Gvardiol has made 122 appearances for the club and scored 13 goals, contributing across both centre-back and left-back positions while winning six major trophies.
Were other clubs interested in signing Gvardiol before the renewal?
Yes. Several clubs across Europe registered interest in the Croatian defender during the summer transfer window. However, Gvardiol committed his future to Manchester City verbally in June before travelling to the 2026 World Cup, returning shortly after to finalise and sign the deal.
