Croatian defender Josko Gvardiol extends Man City stay until 2031

Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has signed a new contract binding him to the club until the summer of 2031.

Contract extension confirmed Manchester City defender Josko Gvardiol has finalized a fresh agreement that extends his stay at the club through the summer of 2031. His previous contract was slated to conclude in 2028, but the new deal removes earlier uncertainty over potential departures. Earlier in the week, reports indicated that the club was optimistic about concluding contract discussions successfully. Speculation had previously linked Gvardiol with potential moves to La Liga side Real Madrid and Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich. ## World Cup preparation underway Currently in preparation for the World Cup with Croatia, Gvardiol faces the possibility of facing his Manchester City teammates when they face England in their opening match on Wednesday at 21:00 BST. The clash presents an intriguing matchup where club and international teammates could meet as opponents. Croatia’s campaign begins against England, creating heightened interest in the fixture. ## Recent season performance reviewed Gvardiol was honored with Manchester City’s Player of the Season award for the 2024-25 campaign despite playing only 25 matches across all competitions. His season was notably interrupted after he suffered a broken leg in January, which sidelined him for four months. He returned to Premier League action in May, featuring for 58 minutes against Crystal Palace and the final 12 minutes against Aston Villa in the last league game of the season. His versatility was evident as he operated effectively in both central defense and as a left-back.