Guardiola hails ‘incredible’ John Stones as decade-long Man City chapter nears end | OneFootball

Pep Guardiola has paid tribute to John Stones as the defender prepares to leave Manchester City this summer.

Stones will bring his decade at the club to an end when his contract expires at the end of the season. The 31-year-old has started just fourPremier League games this season and a decision has been made to take on a new challenge.

Stones will depart after a decorated period at the Etihad. One of Guardiola's first signings, the centre-back has won 15 trophies with the Cityzens, and is targeting a seventhPremier League title before the end of the campaign.

Speaking to the media on Friday, Guardiola praised Stones for his contribution to the club's recent success.

"He was one of my first signings. I remember travelling to London to meet him at my brother's house for the first time. He was young, and there are very few players who can understand what we, as a club, have done in this period together.

"He was by far the best player in the Champions League final in Istanbul. He's a huge personality, and now he feels fit, he can hopefully find the rhythm physically to be ready. He is an incredible person, on and off the pitch."

Stones announced his exit from the Etihad earlier this week and said he has exceeded even his greatest ambitions in Manchester.

"It has been my home for the past 10 years and it will be my home for the rest of my life," said an emotional Stones in a social media post.

"It has been a rollercoaster in many ways. I came as a kid and now leaving as a man - becoming a father, a husband and, on the pitch, a very fulfilled player.

"I lived all my dreams out and lifted all the things that I came here to achieve.

"At the start of my career here I never would thought I would be in this position. Firstly, to achieve everything but to have the love, the bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out of the park."