Manchester City's John Stones releases touching statement confirming summer exit

Stones said City 'will be my home for the rest of my life' -Credit:Marc Atkins/Getty Images

"It's been my home for the past ten years and it will be my home for the rest of my life. it's been a rollercoaster in many ways," he said in an emotional statement, as per the Manchester Evening News.

"I came as a kid and now leaving as a man becoming a father a husband and on the pitch a very fulfilled player in living all of my dreams out and lifting all the things that I came here to achieve. At the start of my career I never would have thought I'd be in this position - first to achieve everything but to have and 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 I felt loved. I can only relate it to me as a little kid. If you'd said to me that I'd be playing at City winning everything, the fans are signing your name and your song throughout the stadium to wherever you go in the world, I don't think I would have believed them.

"The fans mean everything to me. I hope I've made them proud, 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.

"All the setbacks that you have and the good things that you have came into light in that [Champions League final] game or after that game, it made it worthwhile what you have to go through that people don't necessarily see and to celebrate and do it in the fashion that we did with all my family and friends was incredible.

"The manager, how I could describe this ten years with him, I don't think it would have been anywhere as successful without him. The first time that I met him, I left and knew that it was what I wanted to do and where I wanted to be playing under the best manager in the world.

"I'm so grateful that I've been able to spend so long with him, win everything with him and share and have so many incredible moments together. I feel very lucky and grateful for what he's done for me. I've got endless memories with everyone and ones that I'll cherish forever.

"I've been so lucky to be in every dressing room with incredible people and I'm so glad I've been able to do it with all of them. It will always be my home and I'm thankful from the bottom of my heart. This is my team forever and always will be and I don't have the words to say what I feel and how much I love everything about it."

Among Stones' most memorable contributions for City was his performance in the 2023 Champions League final triumph over Inter Milan, while his goal-line clearance against Liverpool proved to be the defining moment of the 2018/19 Premier League season as City went on to narrowly beat their rivals for the title.

The announcement of Stones' exit follows closely on the heels of captain Bernardo Silva's confirmation that he too would be departing the Etihad this summer. Both players will receive the farewell they deserve, having played pivotal roles in the most successful era in the club's history.