England defender John Stones has confirmed his departure from Manchester City at the end of the season, marking an end to a successful tenure that saw him "live out all my dreams" at the club.
John Stones, Manchester City player, said:
"It has been my home for the past 10 years and it will be my home for the rest of my life. It has 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 lived all my dreams out and lifted all the things that I came here to achieve. At the start of my career here I never would thought I would be in this position. Firstly, to achieve everything but to have the love, the bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out of the park."
Stones, whose contract expires this summer, has been a stalwart for Manchester City since joining from Everton in 2016 for £47.5m. Over his time with the club, he made an impressive 293 appearances and played a pivotal role in securing numerous titles. During his tenure, Stones helped lead Man City to six Premier League titles and was instrumental in their Champions League victory. He also contributed significantly to two FA Cups wins, five League Cup triumphs, three Community Shields victories as well as winning both the Club World Cup and Uefa Super Cup.
Record-breaking signing
Stones was Pep Guardiola's second signing at Man City and became the world's second most expensive defender of that time - a testament to his talent and potential which he lived up to during his time with The Citizens.
John Stones added:
"I don't think it would have been anywhere near as successful without him. I'm so grateful that I've been able to spend so long with him, win everything with him. I feel lucky and grateful for what he's done for me."
However, Stones' exit marks another significant departure from Etihad Stadium following Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker and Ederson last summer. Captain Bernardo Silva is also set to leave when his contract expires in June. Despite facing several injuries throughout his career at Man City which hampered consistent playtime on field , Stones remained a firm favourite among fans. His connection with supporters was evident when he expressed on the club website how hearing fans sing his name showed there is a "mutual love between us".
Stones' contributions were not just defensive; he scored 19 goals during his stint with Man city including crucial ones like equalising against Arsenal in 2024. His match-winning goal-line clearance against Liverpool during the nail-biting 2018-19 title race will be etched in the memories of fans, helping City to secure the league by a single point.
Versatile performer
Stones' versatility was on full display when he was deployed as a midfielder during Man City's Champions League final against Inter Milan in 2023. His performance in that match played a key role in securing the Treble for Manchester City.
As John Stones prepares to bid farewell to Manchester City, his legacy at the club remains intact. His contributions have been instrumental in some of their most successful seasons and his departure marks an end of an era at Etihad Stadium.
