Josko Gvardiol has signed a new contract at Manchester City that will keep him at the club until 2031.Gvardiol, 24, had been attracting interest from some of Europe’s top sides but reached a verbal agreement with City to commit his future to the Premier League club ahead of the World Cup.The Croatia centre half returned to Manchester on Monday and put pen to paper on the new deal, which also includes the option for an extra year that can be triggered by the club.During conversations with City, Gvardiol was assured of his place as one of the most important players in the squad, as they look to transition from Pep Guardiola’s glittering 10-year reign.City consider Gvardiol, Phil Foden and Erling Haaland as three central pillars of the squad under Guardiola’s successor, Enzo Maresca. Foden signed his new contract last week, while Haaland penned a nine-and-a-half-year deal in January 2025.In a club announcement, Gvardiol said: “As soon as I knew City wanted to renew my contract, I felt straight away it was what I wanted.“The City fans have been unbelievable with me from day one – and the club provide absolutely everything for players. It’s the best club in the world to be at.“I have felt so much love and respect during my three years here and I don’t take that for granted.“The players we have here are amazing. This is a world-class squad that is young and full of potential. I truly believe we will have a lot of success in the coming years.”Hugo Viana, the City director of football, said the club “really believes in” Gvardiol, who he described as one of the best defenders in the world.“Josko epitomises what we want in our defenders – he can play multiple positions, is quick, strong and when he attacks he does it superbly. He is exceptional,” Viana added.“But the way he conducts himself is also very impressive. This is a young man determined to be the best he can be – an approach that is totally aligned with our overall vision.”Gvardiol will be part of a strong City squad that travels to Hong Kong and Seoul, South Korea, for three pre-season matches. Despite sending more players to the World Cup than any other club, City will be able to call upon players that went no further than the last-16 stage in north America.That includes Gvardiol, as well as Egypt’s Omar Marmoush, Portugal defender Ruben Dias and Antoine Semenyo of Ghana. Haaland, Rodri, Rayan Cherki and the England players will report back ahead of the Community Shield on August 16.A big season ahead for influential GvardiolAnalysisThe importance of tying down Gvardiol is highlighted by Rodri’s delicate future. City have been trying to extend the World Cup winner’s contract for some time but face the prospect of losing him either this summer or on a free when his deal expires next year.Aside from Rodri, City have been successful in tying down their top players, with Gvardiol joining Abdukodir Khusanov and Phil Foden in committing his future, while Jeremy Doku is expected to follow soon.This will be considered a big season for Gvardiol, who has emerged as an important player for City since joining in 2023, and should be capable of going to the next level in the coming years.He is one of the longest-serving members of the squad, considering the amount of transfer activity over the last 18 months, and will be expected to take on a greater role in the dressing room.Given he had interest from major clubs, City should be delighted to keep him, especially as replacing a defender with such high potential, as well as current ability, would not have been easy.