John Stones has confirmed he will depart Manchester City at the conclusion of the current season. The England defender, who joined the club in 2016, shared the news via Instagram alongside a video message. His contract was set to expire anyway, marking the end of a decade at the Etihad.
Stones arrived from Everton for £47.5 million as Pep Guardiola's second signing and became a key part of Manchester City's success. Over 293 appearances, he scored 19 goals and helped win 16 major trophies, including six Premier League titles, one Champions League, two FA Cups, five EFL Cups, a FIFA Club World Cup, and a UEFA Super Cup. Persistent injuries have limited his playing time in recent seasons, including sparse minutes under Guardiola this year. He played the full 90 minutes in City's 2-1 FA Cup semi-final victory over Southampton on Saturday. “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,” Stones wrote on Instagram. “It’s been my home for the past 10 years and it will be my home for the rest of my life,” he added, reflecting on his journey from a young player to a fulfilled professional and family man. He reserved special praise for Guardiola: “I don’t think it would have been anywhere near as successful without him... the best manager in the world.” Despite limited club action, Stones remains in England manager Thomas Tuchel's plans for the World Cup. Tuchel included him in recent friendlies against Uruguay and Japan, though a minor calf injury forced withdrawal. “He has a lot of credit with me in the bank, he is a key player for us,” Tuchel said ahead of the Japan match. The German emphasized fitness as essential for selection.
