John Stones is to leave Manchester City at the end of the season after a decade at the club. City confirmed the news on Tuesday, with the 31-year-old departing the Etihad Stadium at the end of his contract.
Stones was one of Pep Guardiola’s first signings in 2016 and has made nearly 300 appearances for City, helping them win 19 major trophies, including six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League.
The England defender has been restricted by injuries to only 16 appearances for the club this season and is the second long-serving player to announce his impending departure after 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 wrote on Instagram. “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.
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“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, capped 87 times by England, began with his hometown club, Barnsley, before moving to Everton in 2013. His form there persuaded City to spend nearly £50m, the second-highest fee paid for a defender at the time, and meeting Guardiola sealed the deal for Stones.
“I don’t think it would have been anywhere [near] as successful if it wasn’t for him,” said Stones. “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.”
City paid tribute to Stones on their website, saying: “The 31-year-old’s huge contribution across the most sustained and successful era in the club’s history stands without question. Now the club and all of our supporters will take the time to deliver a fitting tribute and farewell to a superb servant of Manchester City at the end of the season.”
