Man City's Txiki Begiristain: 'John Stones one of best defenders in Europe'

Manchester City director of football Txiki Begiristain has described new signing John Stones as "one of the best central defenders in Europe".

The 22-year-old completed a £47.5m move to the Etihad Stadium from Everton this morning, making him Britain's most expensive defender in history.

Stones has penned a six-year deal and becomes Pep Guardiola's eighth signing of the summer.

"John is an excellent young English defender and we are all really pleased he is joining us," Begiristain told the club's official website. "We have worked hard to bring him to City and we feel we are signing one of the best central defenders in Europe."

Stones spent three years at Goodison Park following his £3m move from Barnsley in 2013.