John Stones confirms Manchester City departure in emotional farewell video

“It’s been a rollercoaster in many ways,” the centre-half said. “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 suppose and living all my dreams out, and lifting all the things that I came here to achieve.

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

“From day one, as soon as I came, I felt at home and felt loved. I think I can only relate it to me as a little kid; if you said to me that I’d be playing at Manchester City, winning everything, the fans are singing your name, your song throughout the stadium, wherever you go in the world, I don’t think I would’ve believed them.”

What is Stones’ message to the Man City fanbase?

On his relationship with the Manchester City fans, the Englishman added: “The Man City fans, yeah they mean everything to me. I hope that they can…I hope that I’ve made them proud.

12 Manchester City players could leave the Etihad Stadium in major summer clear-out

“I hope that they can relate to me as a person, and as a player, with how I’ve played, how I’ve represented the club, and will do for the rest of my life.

“Manchester City will always be my home, and I’m thankful, honestly, from the bottom of my heart. This is my team forever, it always will be, and I can’t speak…I haven’t got the words to kind of say what I feel and how much I love everything about it.”

Stones follows in the footsteps of club captain Bernardo Silva, who has also confirmed he will be leaving Manchester City when his own deal expires in June.