Mateo

Kovacic

A MAESTRO IN MIDFIELD...

Mateo Kovacic was Manchester City’s first signing of summer 2023, arriving on a four-year deal which keeps him at the Club until 2027.  

The Croatian international joins Pep Guardiola’s ranks from Chelsea, where he made 221 appearances across five seasons. 

Kovacic is deployed in the centre of the pitch and is regarded as one of the best deep-lying midfielders not just in the Premier League, but globally.  

The 95-cap Croatia captain began his career advancing through Dinamo Zagreb’s academy ranks before making his senior debut on 20 November 2010.  

At 16 years and 198 days, he scored in Dinamo’s 6-0 win over Hrvatski Dragovoljac, making him the youngest goalscorer in the history of the Croatian top-flight.  

After establishing himself in the first team, he played a vital role in Dinamo’s two-consecutive Prva HNL league titles, totalling 63 appearances, seven goals and 11 assists before his transfer to Inter in January 2013.   

In his two-and-a-half impressive seasons with Inter, Kovacic accumulated consistent game-time at the age of 19 to 21 – making 81 Serie A appearances - and caught the eye of Real Madrid in the process.  

In August 2015, Kovacic moved to Spain on a six-year contract where he would go on to be part of the Real Madrid side to win three consecutive Champions League titles, two Super Cups, two Club World Cups as well as being crowned La Liga champions in the 2016/17 season.  

The midfielder made his Premier League debut for Chelsea on 18 August 2018 – in their 3-2 win over Arsenal - after joining the London club on a season-long loan.  

After aiding Chelsea in the Europa League trophy success, Kovacic made his move to the Club permanent and went on to win the Super Cup, Club World Cup and Champions League in 2021.  

On the international stage, Kovacic has been a spearhead in Croatia’s centre ground, helping guide the team to a silver medal in the 2018 World Cup and third-place finish in the 2022 World Cup. 

The midfielder got his City career off to a flying start, lifting his first silverware for the Club in August as we won our first Super Cup.

He had an impressive spell in the heart of midfield before scoring his penalty kick in the shoot-out win over 2022/23 Europa League winners Sevilla. 

Kovacic added yet another winner’s medal to his impressive collection as part of the City squad who claimed the FIFA Club World Cup in December 2023.