Manchester City's Josko Gvardiol signs new contrac...

By Priya Nair — 28 July 2026 — 3 min read

Manchester City has announced that Josko Gvardiol has signed a new contract, securing his future with the club until 2031. The Croatian international joined City from RB Leipzig in the summer of 2023 and has since established himself as a key defender for the team.

Gvardiol, who is 24 years old, has made 122 appearances for the club, contributing 13 goals. During his time at City, he has been part of teams that have won six major honours, including the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup, FIFA Club World Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and Community Shield.

The defender has also been a regular for the Croatian national team, earning 52 caps and participating in the 2026 FIFA World Cup finals. His versatility allows him to play as a central defender or as a left-back, showcasing his talent in multiple positions.

Gvardiol’s impact and achievements

Since his arrival at the Etihad, Gvardiol has demonstrated his ability to adapt to the demands of the Premier League. His debut season saw him help City secure the 2023 UEFA Super Cup in Piraeus, Athens, where they defeated Sevilla. He also featured in City’s 4-0 victory over Fluminense, which crowned them 2023 FIFA Club World Cup champions.

Gvardiol scored his first goal for City in a UEFA Champions League quarter-final match against Real Madrid. He also scored a brace in May 2024 during a 4-0 win at Fulham, a result that was crucial in City securing the 2023/24 Premier League title.

The 2024/25 campaign saw Gvardiol continue his strong form, making 55 appearances, more than any other player that season. His consistent performance led to him being voted City’s official Player of the Season. He also contributed to the team winning the 2024 Community Shield and reaching a third successive FA Cup final after a semi-final triumph against Nottingham Forest.

Gvardiol pens new deal Credit: mancity.com

Future outlook and club commitment

Gvardiol expressed his enthusiasm for the new contract, stating that he felt it was what he wanted as soon as he knew City intended to renew his deal. He highlighted the support from the fans and the club’s comprehensive provisions for players, calling it the best club in the world.

He also praised the squad, describing it as world-class, young, and full of potential, and believes the team will achieve significant success in the coming years. Director of Football Hugo Viana echoed this sentiment, noting Gvardiol’s youth, professionalism, and status as one of the world’s best defenders.

Viana emphasised City’s commitment to retaining top talent, which made the new contract agreement particularly satisfying. He described Gvardiol as embodying the qualities desired in their defenders, highlighting his versatility, speed, strength, and attacking prowess.

Gvardiol’s previous season was impacted by a broken shinbone sustained in January during a home draw with Chelsea, which sidelined him for a significant portion of the campaign. However, he recovered to feature at the end of the season and was part of the Croatian squad at the 2026 FIFA Club World Cup.

Reports indicate that the contract extension was made more appealing to Gvardiol with a substantial pay rise. There was also speculation about interest from other major clubs, including Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, for whom City paid a €90 million transfer fee in 2023 to bring him from RB Leipzig.

Gvardiol aims to be fully fit for the start of the new Premier League season against Bournemouth on 23 August. He anticipates achieving great things with the new coach, Enzo Maresca, who succeeded Pep Guardiola.