SOCCER: Stones to leave Man City after trophy-laden decade

Defender John Stones will leave Manchester City when his contract expires at the end of the season, ending a 10-year spell at the Premier League club, City said on Tuesday.

The 31-year-old England international has made 293 appearances for City since joining from Everton in 2016. However, injuries have restricted his playing time this season, limiting him to 16 appearances across all competitions.

Stones has been a key figure in City’s era of domestic and European dominance, helping the club win six Premier League titles, one UEFA Champions League crown, two FA Cups, three League Cups and one FIFA Club World Cup.

“It’s been my home for the past 10 years, and it’ll be my home for the rest of my life,” Stones wrote on Instagram.

“It’s been a roller coaster in many ways. I came as a kid and now I’m leaving as a man, becoming a father, a husband and, on the pitch, a very fulfilled player. I’ve lived out all my dreams and lifted everything I came here to achieve.”

He added: “At the start of my career, I never would have thought I’d be in this position — not only to achieve everything, but to build such a strong bond with everyone. Every dream has been smashed out the park.”

Manchester City remain in contention for more silverware this season. They sit second in the Premier League standings on 70 points, three behind Arsenal but with a game in hand, while also competing in the FA Cup. -Reporting by Pearl Josephine Nazare in Bengaluru, editing by Ed Osmond/Reuters