Manchester City sign Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea for £30

The Croatian midfielder had spent the last five years at Stamford Bridge, joining from Real Madrid back in 2018. Kovacic won four major trophies with Chelsea, including beating Man City in the 2021 edition of the Champions League.

The fee is understood to be worth an initial £25m guaranteed plus £5m in performance-related add-ons.

He will be rocking the No 8 shirt recently vacated by Ilkay Gundogan, who joined Barcelona.

Kovacic said: "This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City."

"Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are - for me, they are the best in the world. The trophies they have won are clear for all to see, but they are also the best footballing side out there."

"To be joining this squad really is a dream for any footballer. I still have plenty of learning and developing to do, and I know under Pep's management I can become a better player, which is really exciting for me."

"My plan now is to rest for a few weeks before coming back to Manchester to prepare for the new season. I want to help this club stay at the top and win more trophies."

Man City director of football Txiki Begiristain said: "Mateo is an excellent footballer."

"He can play as a six or an eight, has plenty of experience at top level clubs and he understands the Premier League. It was a very simple decision to bring him to City because he has the tactical and technical qualities we are looking for in a midfielder."

"He is someone we have monitored for a very long time and always we were impressed whenever we watched him."

"I am delighted he is here. This is a great signing for this club, and I am very excited to watch what he can do with Pep and the rest of our backroom team."