Pep Guardiola has secured yet another big-name signing, but it wasn’t Manchester City who announced the deal first.
The official UEFA website initially released the team lists for the upcoming Champions League campaign, naming John Stones in the Manchester City squad, despite no formal announcement of the transfer having been made by Everton or City.
A UEFA spokesperson told The Guardian that there may have been some confusion, but UEFA had been following normal protocol:
“We have checked with the club and the player is in the squad. We received all of the squad lists from the clubs before the deadline – so before midnight – and submitted them to our website which is the standard procedure.
“Maybe it was a misunderstanding between us and them. Possibly they were not aware that it would go live on our website so quickly but for us it’s a standard procedure. It’s the first time that something like this has happened.”
City have since announced the £47.6 million signing, with Stones expressing his excitement having signed a six-year deal with the blue side of Manchester.
Meanwhile in the City dressing room… pic.twitter.com/EyTMJdbEkH
— Manchester City (@ManCity) August 9, 2016
“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,” he told ManCity.com.
“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.”
Stones has been one of the most coveted players in the Premier League since making his debut for Everton back in 2013, and is seen to be the archetype for future defenders.
Adept both on the ball and in the air, it’s expected that Stones will fit into Guardiola’s system perfectly at Manchester City.
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