John Stones joins Inter Milan on free transfer after Manchester City exit
The 32-year-old English defender left Manchester City on a free transfer after his contract expired and signed a two-year deal with Serie A's Inter Milan through June 2028. Stones spent a decade at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and is making his first move abroad in his career.
John Stones, 32, left Manchester City at the end of his contract in the summer of 2026 and joined Serie A's Inter Milan on a two-year deal, according to ESPN's reporting. The contract runs through June 2028. Stones spent a decade at Manchester City under Pep Guardiola and is making his first move abroad in his career.
Stones made his arrival official with a brief statement recorded in Milan on Thursday. Per ESPN, he said at his arrival: "I'm excited to be here. Appreciate you guys, I'm sure I'll see you all soon. Thank you so much. Ciao."
Inter Milan announced Stones' signing with a statement emphasizing the significance of his move. Per ESPN, the club said: "After 32 years in England, John Stones is ready for a new chapter in Milano, Italy. A new environment, a new league and a new challenge, backed by all the experience he has gained throughout his career." The statement also noted: "For the first time, he will no longer wear just blue, but black and blue. From the green fields of Barnsley to the San Siro pitch, after making history in Manchester, John Stones is ready for his next chapter at Inter."
Stones came through the youth system at Barnsley before moving to Everton, where he played for three years prior to joining Manchester City. He became a key component in Guardiola's Manchester City side and has accumulated 94 caps for England, per ESPN. He started three games for England at the recently concluded World Cup, where England secured third place and reached the semi-finals.
Stones is the second defender to make the switch from Manchester City to Inter Milan in recent moves. According to ESPN, Manuel Akanji made his loan move from Manchester City to Inter Milan permanent earlier in the summer of 2026. Stones' transfer reflects a broader trend of English players taking opportunities abroad, per ESPN, as Jude Bellingham and Harry Kane have moved to Real Madrid and Bayern Munich respectively.
Stones managed just nine Premier League appearances in the last campaign at Manchester City. According to ESPN, he suffered from thigh and calf issues and hopes to have more impact this season at Inter.
John Stones signed a two-year contract with Inter Milan, running through June 2028, after his Manchester City deal expired.
Stones arrives at Inter as a proven defender with extensive experience at the sport's elite level, though his limited playing time in Manchester City's recent campaign raises questions about his availability. Watch for his integration into Inter's defensive lineup and whether the move provides the sustained minutes he seeks.
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