{"id":244063,"first_name":"Joško","last_name":"Gvardiol","short_name":"J. Gvardiol","common_name":"Joško Gvardiol","place_of_birth":"Zagreb","gender":"male","height":185,"weight":69,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-06T09:11:27.473Z","updatedAt":"2025-03-17T12:05:12.402Z","locale":"en","age":22,"stb_id":"josko-gvardiol","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Joško Gvardiol","top_position":null,"introduction":"Joško Gvardiol is a Croatian professional footballer recognized for his defensive prowess and versatility on the field. Currently playing for Premier League club Manchester City and the Croatia national team, Gvardiol has quickly risen to prominence in the football world. Notably, he became the most expensive defender in history when Manchester City signed him for £77 million in 2023. Throughout his career, Gvardiol has amassed several accolades, including multiple league titles and club trophies, while also making a significant impact at international tournaments like the UEFA Euro and the FIFA World Cup.","early_life_and_career":"\n## Early Years\nJoško Gvardiol was born on January 23, 2002, and grew up in Novigrad, Croatia. Football was an integral part of his early life, influenced significantly by his father, Tihomir, who was an amateur footballer himself. Gvardiol's journey into football began at a very young age of seven, showcasing not just natural talent but a strong familial encouragement to pursue the sport.\n\n## Youth Career\nGvardiol's youth career started at Trešnjevka before his potential was spotted by various clubs. Ultimately, he accepted an offer from Dinamo Zagreb, where his development accelerated. Initially a left-back or central midfielder, Gvardiol was later transitioned into the center-back role, a change that greatly benefited his career trajectory. He notably participated in Dinamo's 2018–19 UEFA Youth League campaign, which saw the youth team reach the quarter-finals stage, highlighting his rising profile among European clubs.","professional_career_and_highlights":"\n## Club Career\n### Dinamo Zagreb\nGvardiol made his professional debut with Dinamo Zagreb during the 2019–20 season. His league debut came on October 18, 2019, in a victorious 4–2 match against Gorica. After quickly establishing himself, he signed a five-year contract with the club in June 2020. By the end of his tenure with Dinamo, Gvardiol had won two league titles and one Croatian Cup.\n\n### RB Leipzig\nIn 2021, Gvardiol joined Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year contract. He made an impactful debut on August 20, 2021, against VfB Stuttgart. In his first season, he helped Leipzig capture their first-ever DFB-Pokal title and reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. Notably, he scored important goals in both Bundesliga and Champions League matches.\n\n### Manchester City\nGvardiol transferred to Manchester City in August 2023 for a staggering fee of £77 million. He made his Premier League debut shortly thereafter and quickly contributed to the team by playing an integral role in their Champions League and Premier League campaigns. During the 2023-24 season, he scored pivotal goals, aiding City in both domestic league triumphs and European competitions.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nGvardiol began his national journey with Croatia's under-21 team in October 2019. During his time, he helped Croatia to important victories, including a notable 10–0 win against San Marino.\n\n### Senior National Team\nGvardiol made his senior debut with the Croatia national team in a friendly match against Belgium in June 2021. He was part of Croatia's squad for Euro 2020 and later played a crucial role in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Croatia finished third. His performances, especially against tough opponents like Belgium during the group stage, earned him significant praise.","playing_style_and_skills":"\n## Player Characteristics\nGvardiol is lauded for his intelligence and modern approach to the centre-back role. Comfortable on the ball, he often drives plays forward and disrupts opposition lines with precise tackles and progressive passes. His versatility allows him to play as a left-back or centre-back, offering tactical flexibility akin to players like John Stones and Rúben Dias.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nThroughout his club and international career as of 2024, Gvardiol has amassed commendable statistics, including key goals in league and knockout Champions League matches. His impactful gameplay is evidenced by critical goals in domestic and international fixtures.\n\n## Records\nGvardiol became the most expensive defender when he moved to Manchester City for £77 million. Additionally, he holds the record as the youngest Croatian to score in a Champions League knockout phase and a major international tournament.","notable_achievements":"\n## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Dinamo Zagreb: Prva HNL (2019–20, 2020–21), Croatian Cup (2020–21)\n- RB Leipzig: DFB-Pokal (2021–22, 2022–23)\n- Manchester City: Premier League (2023–24), UEFA Super Cup (2023), FIFA Club World Cup (2023)\n- Croatia: FIFA World Cup third place (2022)\n\n### Individual Achievements\n- Best Prva HNL U-21 player: 2021\n- IFFHS Men's World Team: 2022\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nRecognized globally, Gvardiol's prowess has earned him a place in various best team selections, celebrating his rise as one of football's finest young defenders.","impact_on_sport":"\n## Career Overview\nJoško Gvardiol's career is a testament to his skill, resilience, and strategic gameplay, marking him as one of the standout defenders in European football. His journey from a promising youth prospect to an international football star underscores his commitment to the sport.\n\n## Off the Field\nWhile specific details on commercial activities and charitable engagements are not detailed in the source, Gvardiol's public profile continues to grow, marking him as a respected figure in football circles.\n\n## Personal Life\nAlthough the source provides limited personal life details, it highlights his solid Croatian roots and influences, emphasizing how his career trajectory is deeply rooted in his early experiences and familial support.","stb_internal_id":"019300be-3b04-751e-b899-46ba85082ee3","overrides":null,"type_code":"defender","position_type_code":"defender","detailed_position_type_code":"left-back","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":null,"has_social_media_relations":true,"introduction_html":"

Joško Gvardiol is a Croatian professional footballer recognized for his defensive prowess and versatility on the field. Currently playing for Premier League club Manchester City and the Croatia national team, Gvardiol has quickly risen to prominence in the football world. Notably, he became the most expensive defender in history when Manchester City signed him for £77 million in 2023. Throughout his career, Gvardiol has amassed several accolades, including multiple league titles and club trophies, while also making a significant impact at international tournaments like the UEFA Euro and the FIFA World Cup.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Joško Gvardiol was born on January 23, 2002, and grew up in Novigrad, Croatia. Football was an integral part of his early life, influenced significantly by his father, Tihomir, who was an amateur footballer himself. Gvardiol's journey into football began at a very young age of seven, showcasing not just natural talent but a strong familial encouragement to pursue the sport.

Youth Career

Gvardiol's youth career started at Trešnjevka before his potential was spotted by various clubs. Ultimately, he accepted an offer from Dinamo Zagreb, where his development accelerated. Initially a left-back or central midfielder, Gvardiol was later transitioned into the center-back role, a change that greatly benefited his career trajectory. He notably participated in Dinamo's 2018–19 UEFA Youth League campaign, which saw the youth team reach the quarter-finals stage, highlighting his rising profile among European clubs.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Dinamo Zagreb

Gvardiol made his professional debut with Dinamo Zagreb during the 2019–20 season. His league debut came on October 18, 2019, in a victorious 4–2 match against Gorica. After quickly establishing himself, he signed a five-year contract with the club in June 2020. By the end of his tenure with Dinamo, Gvardiol had won two league titles and one Croatian Cup.

RB Leipzig

In 2021, Gvardiol joined Bundesliga club RB Leipzig on a five-year contract. He made an impactful debut on August 20, 2021, against VfB Stuttgart. In his first season, he helped Leipzig capture their first-ever DFB-Pokal title and reach the UEFA Europa League semi-finals. Notably, he scored important goals in both Bundesliga and Champions League matches.

Manchester City

Gvardiol transferred to Manchester City in August 2023 for a staggering fee of £77 million. He made his Premier League debut shortly thereafter and quickly contributed to the team by playing an integral role in their Champions League and Premier League campaigns. During the 2023-24 season, he scored pivotal goals, aiding City in both domestic league triumphs and European competitions.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Gvardiol began his national journey with Croatia's under-21 team in October 2019. During his time, he helped Croatia to important victories, including a notable 10–0 win against San Marino.

Senior National Team

Gvardiol made his senior debut with the Croatia national team in a friendly match against Belgium in June 2021. He was part of Croatia's squad for Euro 2020 and later played a crucial role in the 2022 FIFA World Cup, where Croatia finished third. His performances, especially against tough opponents like Belgium during the group stage, earned him significant praise.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Gvardiol is lauded for his intelligence and modern approach to the centre-back role. Comfortable on the ball, he often drives plays forward and disrupts opposition lines with precise tackles and progressive passes. His versatility allows him to play as a left-back or centre-back, offering tactical flexibility akin to players like John Stones and Rúben Dias.

Performance Statistics

Throughout his club and international career as of 2024, Gvardiol has amassed commendable statistics, including key goals in league and knockout Champions League matches. His impactful gameplay is evidenced by critical goals in domestic and international fixtures.

Records

Gvardiol became the most expensive defender when he moved to Manchester City for £77 million. Additionally, he holds the record as the youngest Croatian to score in a Champions League knockout phase and a major international tournament.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Dinamo Zagreb: Prva HNL (2019–20, 2020–21), Croatian Cup (2020–21)
RB Leipzig: DFB-Pokal (2021–22, 2022–23)
Manchester City: Premier League (2023–24), UEFA Super Cup (2023), FIFA Club World Cup (2023)
Croatia: FIFA World Cup third place (2022)

Individual Achievements

Best Prva HNL U-21 player: 2021
IFFHS Men's World Team: 2022

Awards and Recognition

Recognized globally, Gvardiol's prowess has earned him a place in various best team selections, celebrating his rise as one of football's finest young defenders.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Joško Gvardiol's career is a testament to his skill, resilience, and strategic gameplay, marking him as one of the standout defenders in European football. His journey from a promising youth prospect to an international football star underscores his commitment to the sport.

Off the Field

While specific details on commercial activities and charitable engagements are not detailed in the source, Gvardiol's public profile continues to grow, marking him as a respected figure in football circles.

Personal Life

Although the source provides limited personal life details, it highlights his solid Croatian roots and influences, emphasizing how his career trajectory is deeply rooted in his early experiences and familial support.

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Transfer	Goal	Assists
Man City August 2023 - Now	6	1
Croatia May 2021 - Now	1	0

Joško Gvardiol: Career