Manchester City have signed Mateo Kovacic from Chelsea on a four-year contract, the 2022-23 Premier League champions announced on Tuesday.

Man City paid an initial fee of 25 million pounds (about $31.8 million) with another five million pounds (about $6.4 million) due in add-ons to Chelsea for 29-year-old Kovacic. He joined Chelsea on loan from Real Madrid in August 2018 and then signed with "The Blues" on permanent terms one year later on a 45-million-euro (about $49.2 million) transfer.

Having made 221 appearances for Chelsea since then, Kovacic scored six goals and 15 assists for the club, winning the UEFA Champions League, the UEFA Europa League, the UEFA Super Cup and the FIFA Club World Cup. He is a solid midfielder with remarkable defense and incredible ability to connect the front and the back fields.

After the departure of Ilkay Gundogan for Barcelona, Man City can use a player like Kovacic to join Rodri in their midfield. Moreover, if Kovacic fits in Pep Guardiola's system quickly, he may have a chance to improve his individual attack.

"Mateo is an excellent footballer," Manchester City's Director of Football Txiki Begiristain said. "He can play as a 6 or an 8, has plenty of experience at top level clubs and he understands the Premier League. It was a very simple decision to bring him to City because he has the tactical and technical qualities we are looking for in a midfielder."

"This is a brilliant move for me, and I cannot wait to get started with City," Kovacic said. "Anyone who has watched this team under Pep knows how good they are – for me, they are the best in the world. The trophies they have won are clear for all to see, but they are also the best footballing side out there."

As the new European champions, Manchester City are unlikely to wrap up their transfer work with Kovacic. The club offered 90 million pounds (about $114.6 million) to West Ham United for Declan Rice, but the bid was rejected, according to ESPN. Arsenal, who led the Premier League title race for months last season, are also interested in signing Rice.