Mateo Kovacic joins Man City from Chelsea on four-year-deal
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Chelsea's Mateo Kovacic (right) in action with Arsenal's Martin Odegaard.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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LONDON – Mateo Kovacic knows exactly what he is getting into – the “best team in the world” and he cannot wait to get started with his new club Manchester City.
On Tuesday, Pep Guardiola’s treble winners announced that they have signed Chelsea’s Croatia midfielder on a four-year deal. No financial details were disclosed but British media reported that City paid £25 million (S$43 million) plus £5 million in add-ons for the 29-year-old.
“This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City,” Kovacic said in a club statement.
“Anyone who has watched this team under (manager) 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.”
The Croat is City’s first signing since the club lifted the FA Cup and Premier League title before completing a rare treble by also winning the Champions League.
Kovacic first joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in 2018-19 before completing a permanent move and signing a five-year contract.
He helped the West London side to the Champions League title in 2020-21, the Uefa Super Cup and Club World Club in 2021, as well as the Europa League in 2018-19.
Prior to all that, the midfielder began his senior career with Dinamo Zagreb before signing for Inter Milan in January 2013. He made the switch to Real in the summer of 2015.
He made his international debut in a World Cup qualifier against Serbia in March 2013 and has gone on to earn nearly 100 caps for his country, helping Croatia to the runners-up spot at the 2018 World Cup in Russia and a third-placed finish in 2022 in Qatar.
“Mateo is an excellent footballer,” City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain said.
“He can play as a 6 or an 8, 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 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.”
Meanwhile, Tottenham Hotspur announced that they have signed Italian goalkeeper Guglielmo Vicario from Serie A side Empoli. The 26-year-old will sign a contract until 2028, and British media reported the fee to be around £17 million.
Vicario received his first call-up for Italy in September 2022 for their Nations League games against England and Hungary.
He made a total of 71 appearances in all competitions in two years with Empoli, playing 31 league games last season, conceding 39 goals and keeping seven clean sheets.
Vicario becomes the team’s second signing since the appointment of Ange Postecoglou as manager earlier in June after midfielder Dejan Kulusevski turned his loan spell into a permanent move. REUTERS, AFP
