Manchester City Sign Everton Defender John Stones For £47.5M

Manchester City have signed John Stones from Everton for £47.5m, making him the world’s second most expensive defender.

The 22-year-old England international has signed a six-year deal and is City boss Pep Guardiola’s eighth signing.

Stones was earlier named in City’s official Champions League squad, published on the Uefa website before the transfer was confirmed.

“It’s an ambitious club with a great manager so I can’t wait to get stuck in,” he said.

“I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I’m determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success.”

In a short statement, Everton confirmed they had received a “record fee” for Stones.

The Yorkshireman made 95 appearances for the Toffees in three seasons, scoring once.

Championship club Barnsley, his first club, will get between £7m and £9m from a sell-on clause.

Everton rejected a £40m bid for Stones from Chelsea last summer, with the player having a transfer request refused by chairman Bill Kenwright.

Brazilian David Luiz is the most expensive defender in history, joining French champions Paris St-Germain from Chelsea in 2014.

Last year, City made Raheem Sterling the most expensive English player ever when he joined the club for £49m from Liverpool.

City have already signed Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus, Marlos Moreno, Aaron Mooy and Oleksandr Zinchenko this summer.

Their first Premier League fixture is at home to Sunderland on Saturday.