England defender John Stones signed with Italian Serie A champions Inter Milan on a free transfer after his contract with Manchester City expired on June 30, 2026 [1, 2, 3]. The 32-year-old agreed to a two-year contract lasting until June 2028 [1, 4, 5, 2, 6, 3].
Stones spent a decade at Manchester City since joining from Everton in 2016. He made 295 appearances and scored 19 goals during his time with the club [1]. He won six Premier League titles, three FA Cups, three League Cups, the Champions League, the Club World Cup, and the UEFA Super Cup at City [1, 4, 5, 2, 6, 3].
Last term, Stones struggled with thigh and calf injuries, limiting him to just nine Premier League appearances in the 2025-2026 season [2, 6, 3]. Following his Manchester City exit, Stones made five appearances for England at the 2026 FIFA World Cup, helping the national team finish third [2, 6, 3]. He has earned 94 caps for England overall [2, 6, 3].
This transfer marks Stones' first club outside England as a professional player. Before moving to Manchester City, he played three years at Everton and progressed through the youth ranks at Barnsley [6].
Inter Milan announced the signing on July 30, 2026, noting that after 32 years in England, Stones is ready "for a new chapter in Milano, Italy," backed by his extensive experience. The club added, "After making history in Manchester, John Stones is ready for his next chapter at Inter" [4, 6]. Stones commented, "I'm excited to be here. Appreciate you guys, I'm sure I'll see you all soon. Thank you so much. Ciao." [6]
Inter Milan won their 21st Serie A title in the 2025-2026 season and will begin their title defense against newly promoted Monza on August 22, 2026, potentially featuring Stones in his debut [1, 2, 3]. Another Manchester City player, Manuel Akanji, also moved permanently to Inter Milan earlier this summer [6].
