/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/50327881/586430144.0.jpg)
The best young defender in England is a Manchester City player.
We are delighted to announce the signing of John Stones https://t.co/vLYKEPByQZ #WelcomeJohn pic.twitter.com/Qs4Ab0UN45
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2016
John Stones has officially joined the Citizens on a six-year deal, the Citizens announced on Monday. The 22-year-old English center-back is rated as one of the most promising players in the Premier League, and after two very impressive seasons in the top flight, the English international leaves Everton to join Pep Guardiola's side.
The transfer negotiations between City and Everton have been going for the last few months, and the Merseyside Blues got a pretty good deal out of the talks. Everton first asked for a £50 million transfer fee, and after LOTS and LOTS of negotiations, a deal was finally agreed in the £42 million region.
Stones is a great defender with impressive passing qualities for his position, something Pep Guardiola certainly values greatly. Stones is also a versatile man that can play at right-back, another quality that's appreciated by Guardiola.
With the signing of John Stones, the Citizens have now completed seven transfers: Stones, Ilkay Gundogan, Leroy Sané, Nolito, Gabriel Jesus, Oleksandr Zinchenko and Marlos Moreno. The Citizens are still not done this summer, however, as they plan to sign a goalkeeper and might sell a few players who are not on Guardiola's plans.
Welcome, John! What a summer!