Hello, Football fans! If you love following the Football and admire world-class, Joško Gvardiol is a name you’ll recognize instantly. Joško Gvardiol is a Croatian professional footballer who plays as a defender for Manchester City and the Croatia national team, and he is widely regarded as one of the best young defenders in world football. As of early 2026, he is under contract with Manchester City until June 2028 and earns a very high Premier League salary that has rapidly boosted his career earnings and net worth.
Joško Gvardiol’s Biography
| Attribute | Details |
| Full Name | Joško Gvardiol |
| Nickname | N/A |
| Date of Birth | January 23, 2002 |
| Age | 23 years old |
| Place of Birth | Zagreb, Croatia |
| Nationality | Croatian |
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in) |
| Weight | 80 kg |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Jersey Number | 24 (Manchester City) |
| National Team Number | 4 (Croatia) |
| Education | Dinamo Zagreb Academy |
| Religion | N/A |
| Turned Professional | 2019 |
| Current Club | Manchester City FC |
| Position | Centre-back / Left-back |
| Salary | £200,000 per week (£10.4 million annually) |
| Net Worth | Approximately £36.5 million |
| Relationship Status | In a relationship |
| Girlfriend | Lu Mastrović |
| Children | No children |
| Instagram Profile | @josko_gvardiol |
Relationship Status Update: Joško Gvardiol recently went public with his new girlfriend, Lu Mastrović, after being spotted together at a festive celebration on Christmas Eve 2025. The couple was photographed together while attending a celebration with teammate Mateo Kovačić and his wife. According to reports, Mastrović is a 20-year-old student at the Faculty of Veterinary Medicine in Zagreb and comes from an educated, sporty family background. She previously practiced taekwondo and currently has a passion for skiing, achieving notable results in the sport.
Early Career
Gvardiol began playing football at age seven when his father Tihomir took him to local club NK Trešnjevka. His father, a native of Novigrad near Zadar, works as a fisherman but was once an amateur player himself. After being spotted at Trešnjevka, young Joško received offers from both Lokomotiva and Dinamo Zagreb, but his family ultimately accepted Dinamo Zagreb’s offer.
This decision proved pivotal, as the youth academy became instrumental in developing him into a professional footballer. His journey through the Dinamo ranks showcased exceptional talent, leading to his progression through various youth international teams for Croatia, starting from the under-14 level.
Professional Career
Gvardiol’s professional career commenced with Dinamo Zagreb’s first team in 2019. Between 2019 and 2021, he made 52 appearances, scoring four goals for the Croatian powerhouse while also winning multiple domestic honors including the Prva HNL title and Croatian Cup. His performances caught the attention of elite European clubs, resulting in his move to RB Leipzig in the summer of 2021. During his two seasons in the Bundesliga, Gvardiol made 88 appearances, establishing himself as one of Germany’s most exciting young defenders and winning the DFB-Pokal twice.
Manchester City secured his services in August 2023 for 90 million euros, making him one of the world’s most expensive defenders. Since joining City, he has become a fixture in their backline, appearing in over 120 matches across all competitions and contributing significantly to their Premier League triumph in 2023-24. His versatility allows him to operate both at left-back and centre-back, making him invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s tactical setup.
Girlfriend
Joško Gvardiol grew up in Zagreb with his parents and two older sisters, Lorena and Franka, who are a fashion model and professional handball player respectively. His mother Sanja works as an employee of a wholesale company, while his father Tihomir instilled a love for football in him from an early age. Despite his success at Manchester City, Gvardiol has emphasized that his parents remain based in Croatia, though they visit him regularly in England.
For most of his time at Manchester City, Gvardiol lived alone, with his Croatian teammate Mateo Kovačić becoming like an older brother figure, supporting him during his adjustment to life in Manchester. In late 2025, Gvardiol confirmed his relationship status publicly by appearing with his girlfriend Lu Mastrović, a 20-year-old veterinary medicine student from Zagreb. The couple has reportedly been together for several months and has become close friends with teammates Mateo Kovačić and his wife.
Joško Gvardiol’s Net Worth Details
Joško Gvardiol’s estimated net worth stands at approximately £36.5 million ($46 million USD). This substantial wealth accumulation is primarily derived from his professional football career, particularly his lucrative Manchester City contract. His annual salary of £10.4 million represents a significant portion of his wealth, with additional income from sponsorships and endorsement deals.
Since his transfer from RB Leipzig to Manchester City in 2023, his earning capacity has increased dramatically, reflecting his status as one of the world’s elite young defenders. Career earnings from his previous clubs at Dinamo Zagreb and RB Leipzig, combined with his current Manchester City compensation package, have contributed substantially to his overall net worth.
Contract Details
Joško Gvardiol signed a five-year contract with Manchester City in August 2023, running until June 30, 2028. The deal initially valued at approximately £77-80 million plus performance-related add-ons, represents Manchester City’s significant investment in securing a long-term defensive partnership. His weekly wages are reported at £200,000 (including bonuses), translating to an annual package of £10.4 million.
The contract includes performance bonuses estimated at £1.3 million annually, which can push his total compensation to over £200,000 per week. As of early 2026, Manchester City and manager Pep Guardiola are reportedly interested in offering Gvardiol a contract extension despite several years remaining on his current deal, indicating the club’s confidence in his future at the Etihad and their desire to secure him for the long term.
Career Earnings
| Period | Club | Division | Annual Salary | Weekly Wage |
| 2019-2020 | Dinamo Zagreb | Croatian First League | £57,200 | £1,100 |
| 2020-2021 | Dinamo Zagreb | Croatian First League | £57,200 | £1,100 |
| 2021-2022 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | £1,092,000 | £21,000 |
| 2022-2023 | RB Leipzig | Bundesliga | £3,068,000 | £59,000 |
| 2023-2024 | Manchester City | Premier League | £10,400,000 | £200,000 |
| 2024-2025 | Manchester City | Premier League | £10,400,000 | £200,000 |
| 2025-2026 | Manchester City | Premier League | £10,400,000 | £200,000 |
Endorsements and Sponsorships
- Adidas: Gvardiol’s primary equipment and apparel sponsor, supplying his football boots and training gear. He regularly features Adidas content on his social media platforms and has been featured in Adidas SPZL campaigns.
- Mackage: In July 2024, the Montreal-based high-end outerwear brand signed Gvardiol as a brand ambassador, featuring him in their latest fashion campaigns targeting premium markets.
- Manchester City: Official partnerships and appearance fees through his club’s various commercial ventures and global marketing campaigns.
- Croatian National Team Partnerships: Official endorsements through the Croatian Football Federation for national team merchandise and campaigns.
- Social Media Sponsorships: Various partnership opportunities through his Instagram account, which has grown to over 2 million followers.
Career Records
| Achievement/Record | Details | Year(s) |
| Trophy Footballer – Best Prva HNL U-21 | Prestigious individual award in Croatian football | 2021 |
| Trophy Footballer – Team of the Year | Recognition for outstanding performances in Croatian league | 2021 |
| IFFHS Men’s World Team | Inclusion in the prestigious annual world team | 2022 |
| IFFHS Men’s World Youth (U20) Team | Youth international recognition | 2022 |
| VDV Bundesliga Team of the Season | Selected in German Bundesliga’s official team of the season | 2022-23 |
| Manchester City Player of the Season | Won the club’s highest individual honor | 2024-25 |
| Premier League Appearance Record | Over 80 appearances for Manchester City in league play | 2023-26 |
| International Caps | 46 appearances for Croatia national team | 2021-2025 |
| International Goals | 4 goals scored for Croatia | 2021-2025 |
| Champions League Participation | Multiple appearances in UEFA’s premier club competition | 2021-26 |
| World Cup Third Place | Part of Croatia’s bronze medal-winning squad | 2022 |
| Premier League Title | Won England’s top division | 2023-24 |
| FA Cup Runner-up | Reached FA Cup finals on multiple occasions | 2023-24, 2024-25 |
| FIFA Club World Cup Winner | Crowned world club champions | 2023 |
| UEFA Super Cup Winner | Defeated Europa League champions | 2023 |
| DFB-Pokal Winner (x2) | Won German domestic cup twice with RB Leipzig | 2021-22, 2022-23 |
| Defensive Statistics (2025-26) | 1.01 tackles per 90 mins, 0.93 interceptions per 90 mins | 2025-26 Season |
FAQs
1. How Much Does Joško Gvardiol Earn at Manchester City?
Joško Gvardiol earns £200,000 per week at Manchester City, translating to £10.4 million annually. This places him among the highest-paid defenders globally and reflects Manchester City’s commitment to securing his long-term future. His salary includes both guaranteed wages and performance-based bonuses that can push his weekly earnings even higher during successful seasons.
2. What Positions Does Joško Gvardiol Play?
Gvardiol is primarily a centre-back but possesses exceptional versatility to play as a left-back. This dual capability makes him invaluable to Pep Guardiola’s tactical flexibility at Manchester City. His left-footed preference and technical ability on the ball suit both positions, allowing managers to adjust their defensive setup without compromising quality.
3. When Was Joško Gvardiol Born?
Joško Gvardiol was born on January 23, 2002, in Zagreb, Croatia, making him currently 23 years old. He is one of the youngest players to have achieved such prominence at a top European club while maintaining such consistent performance levels.
4. How Many International Caps Does Gvardiol Have?
As of 2025, Joško Gvardiol has earned 46 international appearances for Croatia, scoring 4 goals. He has represented his country at multiple major tournaments, including UEFA Euro 2020, the 2022 FIFA World Cup (where Croatia finished third), and UEFA Euro 2024.
5. What Is Gvardiol’s Transfer History?
Gvardiol’s transfer history includes starting at Dinamo Zagreb (2019-2021), moving to RB Leipzig (2021-2023) for approximately 12 million euros, and joining Manchester City in August 2023 for 90 million euros. Each move represented a step up in competition, showcasing his consistent development as a player.
6. How Tall Is Joško Gvardiol?
Joško Gvardiol stands 1.85 meters tall (approximately 6 feet 1 inch), giving him a considerable physical advantage in aerial duels. Combined with his exceptional positioning and timing, his height makes him formidable in defensive situations.
7. What Trophies Has Gvardiol Won?
Gvardiol has won multiple prestigious trophies including the Premier League (2023-24), FIFA Club World Cup (2023), UEFA Super Cup (2023), DFB-Pokal twice with RB Leipzig (2021-22, 2022-23), and various domestic honors with Dinamo Zagreb. He was also part of Croatia’s third-place-finishing World Cup squad in 2022.
8. Is Joško Gvardiol Related to Any Other Football Players?
Gvardiol is not related to any professional football players. His father Tihomir played football at an amateur level in Croatia but never pursued it professionally. His sisters, Lorena and Franka, have achieved success in fashion modeling and professional handball respectively, but not in football.
9. What Is Gvardiol’s Market Value?
As of 2026, Joško Gvardiol’s market value is estimated between €70-90 million, depending on the valuation source. His market value has remained relatively stable since his Manchester City transfer, reflecting his consistent performances and the club’s reluctance to sell.
10. Which Academy Did Gvardiol Come Through?
Joško Gvardiol came through the Dinamo Zagreb academy, one of Europe’s most prestigious youth development systems. The academy has produced numerous international stars including Luka Modrić and Mateo Kovačić. Gvardiol’s development at Dinamo Zagreb showcased the academy’s exceptional ability to nurture defensive talent.