John Stones will depart Manchester City this summer after ten trophy-laden years at the Etihad, where he's claimed six Premier League titles and was part of the treble-winning side
John Stones will become a free agent this summer
John Stones will become a free agent this summer
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Manchester City have announced that John Stones will leave at the club at the end of this season. Stones, 31, will bring the curtain down on a trophy-laden decade of service at the Etihad.
The centre-half joined City from Everton in August 2016 - the same summer as Pep Guardiola was appointed - for £47.5million, making the second-most expensive defender in football history. Stones has gone on to make 292 appearances for City, winning the Premier League on six occasions whilst also being integral to the treble success.
Stones' ball-playing ability was crucial in the team's 2023 exploits, as they became only the second English team in history to win the Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup in a single campaign. The England international captained City as they reached this season's FA Cup final on Saturday, but he'll seek pastures new next month.
Stones broke the news in a post on Instagram. "They say all good things must come to an end… but this thing we have had has been the greatest and it will remain a part of me forever," he wrote.
City added in a statement: "John Stones will leave Manchester City in the summer, bringing an end to a memorable and hugely successful ten-year stay at the Etihad . Having joined City in 2016 where the English central defender became Guardiola's second signing, Stones has gone to make 293 appearances in what has been a magnificent decade of service to date.
"The 31-year-old's huge contribution across the most sustained and successful era in the Club's history stands without question."
Stones has seen his minutes decline this season, owing to injuries and new arrivals in the backline. Marc Guehi and Abdukodir Khusanov - both signed in the last 18 months - have formed a partnership at the heart of defence and talisman Ruben Dias is still to return.
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Stones is the second treble winner who'll leave City this summer, with Bernardo Silva's departure also confirmed. The latter remains a regular but they'll both hope to go out on a high, with the Manchester outfit still eyeing another domestic treble.
Bernardo and Stones were part of the City side which won the Premier League, FA Cup and Carabao Cup in 2019, making them the first team in English men's football history to do so. City have already claimed this season's Carabao Cup but can still scoop the other two.
City will play Chelsea in the FA Cup final while they're also battling Arsenal for the league title.