Croatia’s Josko Gvardiol controls the ball in the course of the Euro 2024 group D qualifying soccer match between Croatia and Wales on the Poljud stadium in Split, Croatia, Saturday, March 25, 2023. Manchester City signed Croatia centre-back Joško Gvardiol from Leipzig for 90 million euros ($99.2 million).| Photo Credit: AP

Manchester United’s Swedish defender Victor Lindelof scores the profitable penalty previous Brighton’s Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez in a penalty shoot out in the course of the English FA Cup semi-final soccer match between Manchester United and Brighton and Hove Albion at Wembley Stadium in north west London on April 23, 2023.| Photo Credit:AFP

Manchester City signed Croatia centre-back Joško Gvardiol from Leipzig for 90 million euros ($99.2 million) on Saturday, rating him among the many costliest defenders in soccer historical past.

The 21-year-old Gvardiol, referred to as “Little Pep” due to his identify’s likeness to City supervisor Pep Guardiola, is without doubt one of the most extremely rated defenders on the planet and enhanced his fame with spectacular performances for Croatia on the World Cup final yr.

He signed a five-year contract with City, which gained a treble of trophies final season: the Premier League title, Champions League and FA Cup.

“Anyone who saw Manchester City play last season knows they are the best team in the world," Gvardiol said. "To win the treble says everything you need to know about the quality this team has. To be joining City is something very special for me and my family."

At Leipzig, Gvardiol won the German Cup in back-to-back seasons and played in the Champions League.

The transfer fee puts him among the likes of Manchester United’s Harry Maguire, who cost 80 million pounds (then $97 million) when he joined from Leicester in 2019, and Virgil van Dijk, who moved from Southampton to Liverpool for 75 million pounds (then $100 million) in 2018.

“He is a player we have watched closely, and we feel he has a superb set of attributes,” City director of soccer Txiki Begiristain mentioned. "Top golf equipment throughout Europe have been monitoring him, so to carry him right here is nice news for us.

“Josko has so many qualities — every part you need in a centre-half. He is quick, aggressive, combative, robust within the air, spectacular in possession of the ball, with robust self-belief and an excellent character. He is left-footed, too, which provides us good choices on the again."

Gvardiol would likely play on the left side of City’s back three, if Guardiola persists with the 3-2-4-1 formation he deployed in the second half of last season.

City also has Nathan Ake for that role in a formation that essentially sees the team play a defence full of centre backs and dispense with full backs.

“To have the chance to work with Pep Guardiola, too, will be amazing for me,” Gvardiol said. “I know I am not yet the finished article and I am sure my game will progress under the best coach in football.”

Gvardiol is City’s second signing of the offseason, after Croatia teammate Mateo Kovacic, who replaced Ilkay Gundogan in the squad. Gundogan, City’s captain last season, has joined Barcelona, and winger Riyad Mahrez moved to Saudi Arabia with Al-Ahli.

Leipzig will be losing a third key player this offseason, having sold playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai to Liverpool and forward Christopher Nkunku to Chelsea. Highly rated young Slovenian striker Benjamin Šeško is joining Leipzig for the new season.

Chelsea signal goalkeeper Sanchez from Brighton

Chelsea have signed Spanish goalkeeper Robert Sanchez from Brighton & Hove Albion on a seven-year contract, the Premier League membership introduced on Saturday.

British media reported that Chelsea can pay 25 million kilos ($31.87 million) for the Spain worldwide.

Chelsea have been trying to bolster their goalkeeping choices since Edouard Mendy joined Saudi Arabian facet Al-Ahli in June.

Chelsea need to revive their fortunes underneath new supervisor Mauricio Pochettino after coming twelfth within the standings final season - their worst end since 1994.

“Robert has repeatedly proved himself in the Premier League and been capped by his country,” Paul Winstanley and Laurence Stewart, Chelsea’s co-sporting administrators, mentioned in a press release.

“We are excited to watch him work with Mauricio and his coaching team during the season ahead.”

Sanchez joined Brighton’s academy in 2013 and has made 87 Premier League appearances for the south-coast membership, however fell out of favour in the direction of the top of the earlier season, with Jason Steele beginning 15 of Brighton’s final 16 league video games.

The 25-year-old, who's adept together with his toes and has a robust vary of passing, has gained two caps for Spain. He will compete for the goalkeeper place at Stamford Bridge with compatriot Kepa Arrizabalaga.

“Robert is a good guy and a really good player, but being a coach sometimes means making difficult and painful decisions for the team,” Brighton coach Roberto De Zerbi mentioned.

“I wish him good luck for the future.”

(With inputs from AP and Reuters)