John Stones has signed for Serie A club Inter Milan on a free transfer after leaving Manchester City. The England defender spent 10 successful, trophy-laden years at the Premier League club before deciding on a move to San Siro this summer.
The 32-year-old’s contract was up at the Etihad, and he had drawn interest from clubs at home and abroad. Stones was a key part of the English national team that reached the semi-finals of the FIFA World Cup this year under Thomas Tuchel.
Stones joined Manchester City from Everton in 2016 for £47.5m, having started his career at his boyhood club Barnsley. He made 295 appearances for the Cityzens and scored 19 goals for the club during his decade-long stay.
During this time, he helped the club win six Premier League titles, two FA Cups, five League Cups and three Community Shields. He was also a key part of the team that won the Champions League in 2023 and added further trophies in the form of the Club World Cup and the UEFA Super Cup.
With 93 England caps to his name, he brings a wealth of experience to Cristian Chivu’s Serie A champions. Stones brings not only solid defensive qualities to the team, but his ball-playing ability would be massive for the manager’s style of play. He will also reunite with former Manchester City defender Manuel Akanji at the club as the Nerazzurri hope to retain the Scudetto.
Former Premier League players have often found a second life in Italy, with the league offering a much better chance to prolong their careers at the highest level. Over the years, the likes of Eden Dzeko, Romelu Lukaku, and more notably Scott McTominay, among others, have been rewarded with a move to Serie A.
Moreover, it is not only the stalwarts who have done well for themselves in Italy’s top-flight. Former Chelsea defender Fikayo Tomori has been a big part of AC Milan since his move in 2021 and won the Scudetto the next season. Last season, Donyell Malen, formerly of Aston Villa and ex-Manchester United forward Rasmus Hojlund excelled for AS Roma and Napoli respectively.
John Stones will hope to add his name to the growing list of former Premier League players finding success in Serie A. Stones’ transfer represents a major coup for Inter Milan, with the team having already signed goalkeeper Ivan Provedel from Lazio and midfielder Aleksandar Stanković from Club Brugge.
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