Official: Gundogan returns to Manchester City from Barcelona
Manchester City have re-signed Ilkay Gundogan one year after he left the club for Barcelona.
The English Premier League champions confirmed the deal on Friday, moments after the Germany midfielder issued an open ‘goodbye’ message to Barcelona fans on social media.
“Manchester City have completed a deal to re-sign Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona on a one-year deal, subject to international clearance,” the English club announced on their official website.
“The midfielder spent seven hugely successful seasons at the Etihad before moving to the La Liga side in June 2023, just 16 days after captaining City to an historic Treble thanks to victory over Inter in the Champions League final in Istanbul.
“Over the course of his remarkable first stint at the Club, the German won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups, two Community Shields and one Champions League, making 304 appearances and scoring 60 goals.
“And after one full season at Barcelona, which saw him play 51 times in all competitions and help the Catalan giants finish second in La Liga, the 33-year-old is back at City as we bid to make it five Premier League titles in succession.”
Upon his return to Manchester, Gundogan says he could not be happier to be back at Manchester City.
“My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” Gundogan said.
“I grew as a person and a player, developed a special relationship with the City fans and enjoyed amazing success. It was an exceptional period in my life.
“To have the opportunity to return here means so much.
“Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player. You feel constantly challenged, which for any professional is exactly what you want. I cannot wait to work with him again.
“And what can I say about my teammates here at City…they are world class footballers. I am genuinely delighted to have the chance to train and play alongside them.
“Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again.”
City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Ilkay is one of the finest professionals I have ever worked with. His dedication to football and his approach to every single training session is something special.
“He is also an exceptional midfielder. His reading of the game, his football intelligence, his technical quality and his leadership make him an excellent addition to our squad.
“To be able to bring him back here is fantastic news for everyone. He will help us in our main objective, which is to win trophies, but he will also be an inspiration to so many.”
Gundogan, who was Guardiola’s first Manchester City signing when he initially joined the Club as a 25-year-old from Borussia Dortmund back in the summer of 2016, hinted that he had to leave Barcelona for financial reasons.
For several seasons now, the Spanish giants have had to do some serious juggling to get new players registered due to financial difficulties.
In his farewell message to Barcelona fans, Gundogan mentioned how his departure could ‘help the club financially’.
He wrote: “Dear culers, after just one year it’s already time to say goodbye. I came here to face a new, exciting challenge, and I was ready for it. I have given everything to fight for the team and the club the best possible way in a difficult season and I was looking forward to helping my teammates in the new campaign.
“Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.
Nevertheless, it’s been a time with incredible experiences and ups and downs – I always wanted to play at Barça, and I am very grateful for a memory and experience that I will remember for my life.
“I wish you the best for the season and for the future. The fans deserve to get this big club back to the world’s best.
Visca el Barça! Best wishes, Ilkay.”
