# John Stones released by Manchester City, praised by Tuchel as proven winner > Source: > Published: 2026-06-20 09:55:37+00:00 # John Stones released by Manchester City, praised by Tuchel as proven winner The defender leaves the Etihad after a decade of dominance but earns a starting spot in England's World Cup opener against Croatia John Stones is no longer a Manchester City player. After ten years, 293 appearances, and a trophy cabinet that most defenders can only dream about, the 32-year-old confirmed his departure from the club on April 28, walking away as a free agent when his contract expires on June 30. But here’s the thing: a player who couldn’t stay fit enough to hold down a regular spot in City’s squad this season just started England’s World Cup opener against Croatia. Thomas Tuchel, England’s manager, doesn’t seem bothered by the irony. ## A decade at the Etihad, bookended by question marks Stones arrived at Manchester City from Everton in August 2016 for an initial fee of £47.5 million. Over the next decade, Stones collected six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, and three EFL Cups. The crown jewel was City’s treble-winning 2022-23 season. He extended his contract in 2021, a commitment that kept him at the Etihad through this season. But injuries plagued his 2025-26 campaign, limiting his appearances and ultimately making it clear that City wouldn’t be offering fresh terms. ## Tuchel’s faith and England’s gamble Tuchel acknowledged that Stones arrived at the England camp with minor muscle issues. But the German manager made his position clear, calling Stones a “proven winner” whose experience and leadership outweigh concerns about his recent fitness record. Tuchel praised Stones as a “proven winner” with invaluable experience, selecting him to start England’s World Cup opener against Croatia despite his injury-disrupted season. ## What comes next for Stones With his City chapter officially closed, Stones enters free agency at 32. Bayern Munich and Everton have both been linked with a move. As a free agent, Stones commands no transfer fee, which makes him attractive even with his injury history. **Disclosure:** This article was edited by Editorial Team. For more information on how we create and review content, see our [Editorial Policy](https://cryptobriefing.com/editorial-policy/).