İlkay Gündoğan’s seven-year stint with Manchester City has officially come to an end after the veteran German international has agreed to join Xavi’s Barcelona rejuvenation project at Spotify Camp Nou.
The 32-year-old star midfielder captained Manchester City to a historic treble in 2022-23 under Pep Guardiola during the final year of his contract in what will surely go down as one of the greatest final acts in the club’s history.
Ilkay Gündogan to Barcelona, here we go! Final approval arrived on club side to register him as new signing, green light from the player. It’s done deal, signed few minutes ago. 🚨🔵🔴 #FCB
Gündogan has agreed a two year deal valid until June 2025 with option for further year. pic.twitter.com/Gr467hNBms
— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 21, 2023
Though linked with interest from Premier League rivals Arsenal, the Gelsenkirchen-born midfielder has, instead, opted for a new challenge in La Liga at a Barça outfit that recently returned to the top of the pile in Spain during Xavi’s first full season in charge of his former club that saw them pip bitter rivals Real Madrid to the title.
Gündoğan’s terms are reportedly a two-year deal with an option for a third while signaling the club’s first foray into the summer market.
He now joins a central cadre that includes Frenkie de Jong, Pedri, Gavi, Pablo Torre, and Franck Kessié while replacing the leadership qualities of the recently departed Sergio Busquets.
The German featured over 300 times for City across his seven years at the Etihad in all competitions after putting injury concerns behind him that first popped up at Borussia Dortmund and during his first two seasons in England before ultimately becoming indispensable to Guardiola in the heart of the midfield.
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