Stones: “Happy and proud, ready for this new chapter” | OneFootball

A new chapter begins, a new life after 32 years spent in England: John Stones is an Inter player.

The defender, born in 1994, joins the Nerazzurri after ten seasons representing Manchester City. Here are his comments from his presentation interview with Inter TV:

Welcome to Inter, John. How do you feel today after signing for the club?

"I have so many emotions. I’m really happy and proud, excited to start this new chapter and this new journey. I couldn’t imagine a better place to do it."

After ten years at Manchester City, changing club and country represents a very important step in your life and career.

"Yes, absolutely. It was something I had always wanted to do and, when this opportunity came up, I spoke about it with my family, and we were certain: we wanted to come here."

This is your first experience outside England. Do you know Milano and the lifestyle it comes with?

"I’ve heard a lot about it, but I haven’t experienced it personally yet. That’s what excites us: discovering the city, the culture, and the people. It’s also great that I already have some friends here to share this experience with."

You will be reunited with a former Manchester City teammate, Manuel Akanji. Did you speak to him in the days before making this decision?

"Yes, we spoke, but I didn’t give him any information about what was happening. I wanted to make sure everything was finalised before telling him, but I’m sure he had already sensed something and had probably seen the news. I’m really happy to be reunited with him: he’s one of the best defenders I’ve ever played with, and I’m delighted to be playing alongside him again, as well as with other players I’ve faced both at club level and with the national team and whose quality I know. I can’t wait to meet everyone."

You are a versatile defender, strong physically, comfortable on the ball and able to build chances from the back. What do you think you can bring to Cristian Chivu’s team as they look to defend their title as Champions of Italy?

"I have an immense hunger to win more. I’ve been fortunate enough to win many trophies throughout my career, and I want to draw on that experience here to help the team and the Club. At the same time, I want to keep learning and growing as a footballer, working with the coach and also with Kolarov, who was my teammate at City. I’m really excited; I hope to bring my skills to the team, and I want to learn new things, understand a new way of playing and experience a new league."

You have won several trophies throughout your career, and your experience speaks for itself. What values and lessons do you hold closest to your heart?

"I believe being a good teammate is one of the most important aspects of building a winning team. Things won’t always go well or the way you want them to, but what matters is how you help the people around you succeed, because nobody wins alone. I treasure the moments I’ve shared on and off the pitch; that’s how you build a strong bond. I’m happy and fortunate to have this opportunity to create new friendships and relationships, and I can’t wait for that to happen."

It has been a very intense summer for you, with the World Cup and everything that came with it. How proud are you to have represented England once again? You also achieved important milestones with the Three Lions.

"It was a very demanding summer, but also an exciting one. It’s always an honour to represent my country, to have done it many times and to have contributed to achieving important milestones in the history of our national team. I’m particularly proud of the bronze medal: it wasn’t the result we set out to achieve, but we still wrote another chapter in our history, and that makes me really proud. And of course, I’m extremely proud to have come here: I think my smile says it all."

You are the fourth English player in the club’s history. How does that feel?

"I feel really fortunate. It’s something I found out before arriving here and, considering there haven’t been many English players to have had this experience, I’m very happy to be included in that list."

What goals do you have for yourself on this new adventure?

"I think the players and the club set the bar very high last season, so we have to start from there. I’m here to win and fight for every trophy. That has always been my mentality wherever I’ve played, and I’m convinced we can achieve it. We have to keep aiming for the very top."

Would you like to send a message to your new fans?

"I can’t wait to see you all, to meet as many of you as possible, to play in front of you and, hopefully, to create some incredible memories together. I’m certain we will. I want to thank you for your support even before meeting you, because I know how passionate you are about this Club and these players. I promise I’ll wear this shirt with pride and give everything for the Club and my teammates."