Stones to bring curtain down on 10-year stay at Man City this summer

Manchester City have announced that John Stones' trophy-laden 10-year stint at the club will come to an end following the conclusion of the 2025-26 season. 

Stones, who joined the Citizens from Everton in a reported £47.5m deal back in August 2016, confirmed his decision on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old has made 293 appearances in all competitions for the club, registering 19 goals and nine assists and has played a key role during Pep Guardiola's tenure. 

Stones was Guardiola's second signing, making him the world's second most expensive defender in history at the time, behind former Chelsea centre-back David Luiz.

The England international would go on to collect 19 major honours with the club, including six Premier League titles and their maiden Champions League crown in 2022-23. 

"It's been my home for the past ten years, and it will be my home for the rest of my life. It's been a rollercoaster in many ways," Stones said in an emotional farewell.

"I came as a kid and now, leaving as a man, becoming a father, a husband, and on the pitch, a very fulfilled player in living all of my dreams out and lifting all the things that I came here to achieve.

"At the start of my career, I never would have thought I'd be in this position – first to achieve everything, but to have and love a bond with everyone.

"If you'd said to me that I'd be playing at City winning everything, the fans are signing your name and your song throughout the stadium wherever you go in the world, I don't think I would have believed them."

Stones is the second high-profile figure exiting the Etihad Stadium in the summer, with captain Bernardo Silva also announcing his departure earlier this month. 

The central defender was a pivotal part of City's treble-winning season in 2022-23, starting the FA Cup final against Manchester United and Champions League final against Inter in a more advanced midfield role. 

However, injuries have hindered his City career in recent years, with Stones failing to start a Premier League match for Guardiola's men since last October. 

Stones has made just 18 league appearances since the start of the 2024-25 campaign, but could end his time at City by adding more silverware to his collection, with the club in the hunt for both the FA Cup and Premier League, while having also lifted the EFL Cup. 

"The fans mean everything to me. I hope I've made them proud," Stones added.

"I hope that they can relate to me as a person and as a player with how I've played, how I've represented the club and will do for the rest of my life.

"All the setbacks that you have and the good things that you have came into light in that [Champions League final] game or after that game, it made it worthwhile what you have to go through that people don't necessarily see and to celebrate and do it in the fashion that we did with all my family and friends was incredible.

"It will always be my home, and I'm thankful from the bottom of my heart. This is my team forever and always will be, and I don't have the words to say what I feel and how much I love everything about it."

Stones' farewell match at the Etihad Stadium will come on the final day of the Premier League season, with City taking on Aston Villa on May 24.