Departed defender thanks Everton organization and fans

John Stones has posted a note on his Instagram page thanking everyone at Everton for his time at the club. The defender was sold to Manchester City earlier this morning for £47.5m, with £2.5m in add-ons.

Toffees midfielder Ross Barkley posted a picture with Stones on Instagram as well, saying he was ‘gutted’.

The statement alongside the montage of pictures with the player read -

I would also like to say a huge thank you to everyone connected to @everton for their help and support during my time at the club and I wish them all the best. Would like to say a special thanks to the Chairman, fans and also all of my teammates, thanks for everything lads will miss you all!

Stones kept it classy despite having had a rocky relationship at times with the fans, especially last season when his form dipped and reports came out that he had asked for a transfer amidst the attention from Chelsea.