England international John Stones has completed a free transfer to Inter Milan after bringing an end to his decade-long stay at Manchester City.
The Serie A champions confirmed the signing on Thursday, announcing that the experienced centre-back has signed a two-year contract after his Manchester City deal expired at the end of last month.
Stones arrives in Italy following a trophy-laden 10-year spell at the Etihad Stadium, where he established himself as one of the Premier League’s most accomplished defenders under former manager Pep Guardiola.
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The 32-year-old departed City after helping England secure a third-place finish at the FIFA World Cup, where he featured prominently in the national team’s campaign.
He made five appearances during the tournament hosted by the United States, Mexico and Canada, earning his 94th England cap in the semi-final defeat to Argentina.
During his time at Manchester City, Stones played a pivotal role in one of the club’s most successful eras, winning six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups and the UEFA Champions League.
His ability to play comfortably in possession and adapt to different tactical roles made him a key figure in Guardiola’s system, particularly during City’s treble-winning campaign.
Recurring injuries limited his playing time in recent seasons, however, and he managed only nine Premier League appearances last term before leaving the club as a free agent.
Inter Milan hope the experienced defender will add leadership and quality to their backline as they prepare to defend the Serie A title and compete in Europe.
Stones could make his competitive debut for the Nerazzurri when they open their Scudetto defence against Monza at the San Siro on August 22.
