John Stones 'over the moon' after signing new five-year Manchester City contract

England defender returned to form and favour last season to help City win the Premier League and Carabao Cup

John Stones joined Manchester City from Everton in 2016.

John Stones could complete a decade at Manchester City after signing a new contract to keep him at the Etihad Stadium until 2026.

Stones, 27, returned to form and favour with club and country last season, forming a fine centre-back partnership with Ruben Dias as City won the Premier League and the Carabao Cup and reached the Champions League final and playing a pivotal part in an England defence who only conceded two goals in Euro 2020, when they were runners-up.

Stones, whose previous deal was due to expire next summer, said he was delighted to commit his future to City. “Just pure happiness,” he said. “I have been here for five years and to extend it another five, it is hard to put it into words. When you fall in love with a place, the people, the whole club, it is what I have worked for.

“I am so pleased to be staying another five years. After all the memories I have already made, the good times with people and how welcome I feel, I feel like it is definitely home. I am absolutely over the moon. It was an easy decision to put pen to paper.

“I have always felt settled. There is always that element that you have to fight for everything and I have said that numerous times. I will continue to say that and give everything for the club. I want more of the incredible memories we have had.”

Stones attributed his revival to changing “everything” after losing his place in a difficult 2019-20 season.

“It was just doing more training, more gym, finding little details with food or recovery, anything I could find to improve I tried to improve on,” he said. “I have set the bar now for myself and I still feel that there is room to improve on the non-football aspect off the pitch and definitely on the pitch as well.”

Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “This is great news. “John is an exceptional footballer and a fantastic defender, whose attributes are well suited to our style of play.

“We knew when we signed him that we were getting a talented centre-back, but he has really matured in his five years here and, as we saw last season, is at the top of his game right now.”

2021/22 Premier League players to watch

Arsenal – Bukayo Saka. Euro 2020 should inspire happy memories for him. He was brilliant until being blocked out by the giant Gianluigi Donnarumma in the final. The brightest spark in an average campaign for his club last season, too

Aston Villa – Danny Ings. Villa already have one profitable source of goals in Ollie Watkins. The surprise acquisition of Southampton striker Ings could really alter their ambitions for the better.

Brentford – Ivan Toney. Six years after his first crack at the Premier League with Newcastle, where made just two top-flight appearances, he is back after a good look around the divisions. The robust centre forward was central to the Bees’ promotion last season.

Brighton and Hove Albion – Tariq Lamptey. Caught the eye at the start of the Graham Potter revolution, but saw progress stall due to inury. A strong return from his hamstring problem, which will keep him out of the start of the season, would serve the Seagulls well.

Burnley – Ben Mee. Burnley finished just outside the drop zone last season, and their summer business has been meh. A season of reliance on defensive solidity, led by captain Mee, might be the best they can hope for.

Chelsea – Romelu Lukaku. Timo Werner might come good. So might Kai Havertz. But Chelsea old boy Lukaku feels like a banker for goals, after his £98 million return from Inter.

Crystal Palace – Joachim Andersen. Brought in by Patrick Vieira after impressing, most notably with his range of passing from centre back, while on loan at Fulham last season.

Everton – Dominic Calvert-Lewin. One of the ghosts at the feast in England’s march to the Euros final. It will be intriguing to see how Rafa Benitez gets the best out of Everton’s centre forward.

Leeds United – Kalvin Phillips. The Duracell Bunny’s brilliance at Euro 2020 was a mixed blessing for Leeds. It was an affirmation of his excellence – but now he has no shortage of suitors, too.

Leicester City – Kelechi Iheanacho. Seemed destined for the top when he was the star of the U17 World Cup in UAE in 2013. He has taken his time getting there, but now he is among the most reliable marksmen in the Premier League.

Liverpool – Virgil van Dijk. Liverpool have been surprisingly light on transfer activity, but the return of arguably the world’s best centre back after long-term injury will feel like a new signing.

Manchester City – Jack Grealish. Will be intriguing to see how he fits in to a Pep Guardiola XI, and how much game time he gets, despite his record-breaking price tag. There are a few other attacking options at City, too.

Manchester United – Jadon Sancho. A character-building, if not entirely cheery, summer on the field culminated in a £72.9m move to Old Trafford. German football watchers insist he is already one of the stars of the game. Now to prove it in England.

Newcastle United – Joe Willock. Allan Saint-Maximin apart, few players were able to dispel the drudgery as often as Willock managed in his loan spell last season. He looks set to return after a permanent deal was agreed with Arsenal.

Norwich City – Billy Gilmour. Five Premier League starts for Chelsea and man of the match against England at the Euros, now Gilmour is starting a season’s loan at newly-promoted Norwich.

Southampton – Che Adams. With Danny Ings gone, there will be an onus on Adams to step up his goal return for Saints. He was bright enough for Scotland in the Euros, at least in the game against England.

Tottenham Hotspur – Cristian Romero. All the talk at Spurs might surround a notable wantaway star at the other end of the field. In the meantime they have nipped in for a $59 million centre half who was Serie A’s defender of the season last term.

Watford – Ismaila Sarr. The Senegalese forward was Watford’s leading scorer last season, and scored the penalty which sealed their return to the Premier League. He was also the star when Watford ended Liverpool’s 44-game unbeaten run two seasons ago.

West Ham United – Declan Rice. Asked West Ham to listen to offers from the biggest clubs after his summer excelling for England, but is unlikely to move this year. All the better for the resurgent Hammers.

Wolverhampton Wanderers – Raul Jimenez. Given the all clear to resume his career following his sickening skull fracture. Hope springs that he will remain healthy, and return to the goals trail, too.