From Leipzig to Manchester!
Joško Gvardiol has left RB Leipzig after two successful seasons to join Premier Leagueoutfit Manchester City.
The centre-back, who came through Dinamo Zagreb’s academy, moved to Leipzig in summer 2021 and quickly established himself as a regular in the RBL side. The 21-year-old played 87 games in all competitions for the club.
JoškoGvardiol made his Champions League debut for RB Leipzig on 15th September 2021 aged just 19. The opponents that evening were Manchester City in the group stage (6-3 defeat).
The defender scored three goals in the Bundesliga for RBL and also twice in the Champions League. He found the net in the 3-2 win over Real Madrid in last season’s group stage, as well as in the 1-1 first-leg draw against his future employers in the round of 16.
Thank you, Josko!
Two-time cup winner and third place at the World Cup
Josko won the DFB-Pokal in both 2022 and 2023 with Leipzig, whilst also regularly featuring for the Croatia national team.
He played in all seven World Cup games in Qatar in 2022 for Croatia, making it 1-0 in the third place play-off against Morocco (2-1 win).
With his development from a talented youngster to potentially the most expensive defender in the world, Gvardiol is a prime example of the club’s philosophy, to have success on the pitch but also to produce value for the future.
Josko Gvardiol
- “I’m very grateful to RB Leipzigfor making it possible for me tojoin Manchester City now. I had two amazing years in Leipzig with great success on the pitch and during which I also made a lot of friends.My time with RB Leipzig has helped shape and develop me immensely, both as a player and as a person.
A huge thanks also goes to the fans for the support that we as a team felt, but also that I felt personally. The two big Pokal parties were legendary and will always remain a special memory.
I’m now starting a new challenge in England, however, I’m already looking forward to coming back to Leipzig down the line, ideally for a Champions League match. It’s been an incredible journey. Thank you to everyone!”
Max Eberl
- “With the sheer amount of quality Josko has, he is a player that we would have liked to see stay at RBL.
However, considering his wishes and the financial package, which makes him the most expensive defender in history, we weighed up all the parameters and ultimately decided to agree to a transfer.
Josko is joining one of the best teams in the world. That alone shows the development that he has undergone over his last two years with us. He is another example of the overall approach that we are going for at RB Leipzig.He arrived at Leipzig as a very exciting talent, was able to get his first Champions League experience here and has continued to develop. There are no longer many clubs out there that our players would consider the next step in their career.
Joining the Champions League holders is one of those steps, however. We are convinced that Josko will make his mark at Manchester City, and wish him all the best for the future.”
RBL stats
Overall
Games: 87
Goals: 5
Assists: 5
Bundesliga
Games: 59
Goals: 3
Assists: 2
DFB-Pokal
Games: 10
Goals: –
Assists: 1
Champions League
Games: 14
Goals: 2
Assists: –
Honours
- DFB-Pokal winner: 2022 and 2023
Debut
- 20th August 2021 in a 4-0 win vs. VfB Stuttgart