MANCHESTER CITY finally signed John Stones but had the joy of announcing his signing ripped away by bungling Uefa.
The Citizens have paid £47.5million to land the England defender, 22.
But before the club announced his move, Stones had been registered as a City player on the official Uefa website – and had been given the number 24 shirt.
A Uefa statement read: “He was in the squad list we received from Manchester City. The deadline was yesterday and the player was in the squad.
“He has been registered to play [for Manchester City].”
It means he is eligible to play against Steaua Bucharest in the Champions League first playoff round on August 16.
Stones says he cannot wait to begin the “next stage in my career”.
He told the club: “I’m absolutely delighted to sign for City and now the deal’s done I’m looking forward to the next stage in my career.
“I’ve obviously seen what’s going on here at the Etihad, it’s an ambitious club with a great manager so I can’t wait to get stuck in and help achieve the goals.
“I know it will be tough getting a place in this team but I’m determined to become the best player I can be and help us to success.
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“I had a wonderful time with Everton and wish them and their fans all the best but now I’ll give my all for City.”
Etihad manager Pep Guardiola added: “We want to help John show his quality with us and improve on what he has already achieved.
“I like the way he plays the game and I’m looking forward to welcoming him into the squad.”
Everton had been holding out on a mammoth fee for the coveted centre-back, and City have smashed the British transfer record for a defender to land their man.
Manchester United's Luke Shaw had previously held the record when the Red Devils paid Southampton £30m to land the full-back in 2014.
Stones is the eighth player to join the Pep-olution.
The former Barnsley ace had been itching for a move to link up with Guardiola.
And ex-Barcelona and Bayern Munich boss Guardiola was just as eager to draft in Stones.
Guardiola favours Stones' ball-playing abilities and sees him as the ideal centre-back to kick-start his City reign.
Stones is comfortable under pressure and likes to play the ball short, something Guardiola will be looking to implement on next season's title-favourites.
He follows Ilkay Gundogan, Nolito, Alexander Zinchenko, Aaron Mooy, Leroy Sane, Gabriel Jesus and Marlos Moreno into the club.
Toffees boss Ronald Koeman is ready to bring in Wilfried Bony, 27, in a deal moving the opposite direction.
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