Manchester City seal £47.5m deal for Everton and England defender John Stones

Manchester City have completed the signing of England international defender John Stones for £47.5m, according to BBC Sport (10:55).

The Premier League side, who face Romanian outfit Steaua Bucharest in the play-off round first-leg on August 16, have been heavily linked with luring the Everton centre-half to the Etihad Stadium ahead of the new 2016/17 campaign.

The 22-year-old, who has 10 international caps for his country and was part of the England squad at this summer’s European Championships in France, made 41 appearances in all competitions for the Toffees last season.

Photo: Simon Stacpoole / Offside.

Stones; who arrived at Goodison Park from Championship outfit Barnsley back in January 2013 following his reported £3m switch, is now the second most expensive defender of all-time, only behind Paris Saint-Germain’s David Luiz (£50m), after joining Pep Guardiola’s Citizens on Tuesday.

After putting pen to paper on a six-year deal, Stones told the club’s official website, “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.”