Manchester City finally sign defender John Stones from Everton for £47.5million on a six-year deal
After a protracted summer pursuit of the England international, City finally get their man
JOHN STONES has signed for Manchester City from Everton for £47.5million plus add-ons on a six-year deal.
The England international centre-half will stay him at the Etihad Stadium until at least 2022 and will wear squad number 24, becoming the world's second most expensive defender after David Luiz.
He said: "I'm absolutely delighted to sign for City and now the deal's done I'm looking forward to the next stage in my career.
"I've obviously seen what's going on here at the Etihad, it's an ambitious Club with a great manager so I can't wait to get stuck in and help achieve the goals.
"I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I'm determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success.
"I had a wonderful time with Everton and wish them and their fans all the best but now I'll give my all for City."
"I like the way he plays the game and I'm looking forward to welcoming him into the squad."
Stones was earlier named in City's official Champions League squad, which was inadvertently published on the Uefa website before the transfer was confirmed.
Stones joined Everton from Barnsley in 2013 for £3m - and the League 1 outfit are set to net a whopping £8m sell-on fee.
Last summer Chelsea bid four times for the Everton man, with the biggest bid at £38m - but the Toffees rejected every single one before the Blues gave up.
Stones represented England at u19, u20 and u21 level before making his senior international debut on 30 May 2014 in a 3-0 friendly victory over Peru at Wembley.