Inter complete free transfer signing of John Stones

Inter have confirmed the signing of John Stones, with the England defender joining the Serie A champions on a free transfer after the expiry of his Manchester City contract.

The 32-year-old has signed a two-year deal at San Siro, beginning the first chapter of his career outside English football. He leaves Manchester with 295 appearances to his name, having collected six Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League, and arrives fresh from helping England to a bronze medal at the 2026 World Cup.

Stones is due in Milan on Friday to undergo his medical before completing the formalities. The move is a notable exception to the transfer policy drawn up by owners Oaktree, who had ruled out free-agent signings of players in their thirties in favour of younger investments. The departure of Acerbi and De Vrij changed the equation: both centre-backs left when their contracts expired on 30 June, freeing a combined €5.3m a year in wages that Inter have redirected towards Stones' reported salary of €4m net per season.

The commission due to the defender's representatives has also been described as reasonable and consistent with the club's drive to cut intermediary costs — a far cry from the €8m Inter once paid to beat Milan to Marcus Thuram's signature.

At Inter, Stones reunites with former City team-mate Manuel Akanji and gives head coach Cristian Chivu a proven, ball-playing presence at the heart of a defence preparing to defend the Scudetto. His pedigree is beyond question; his recent fitness record less so, though the fee-free nature of the deal limits the risk of a costly mistake.

Sources

• Football Italia
• La Gazzetta dello Sport