On Monday, LaLiga club Barcelona announced that they have secured the services of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City, where he helped the English club win the Premier League, FA Cup, and Champions League treble last season. The German midfielder has signed a two-year contract with the Spanish champions, and the deal includes a buyout clause of 400 million euros ($435.72 million). Gundogan, who won 14 trophies during his seven-year stint in England, including five league titles, expressed his gratitude towards Manchester City, saying that it has been a privilege and pleasure to be part of the club. He also thanked the City family for making him feel at home during his time in England.
Gundogan was Pep Guardiola’s first signing when he took over as City’s manager in 2016, despite the midfielder being sidelined with a knee injury at the time. He proved to be a valuable asset for City, especially over the last two seasons, scoring crucial goals that helped the club win several trophies. Gundogan made over 300 appearances for City, scoring 60 goals and providing 40 assists in all competitions. City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, praised Gundogan, saying that he had been an inspiration to everyone at the club and had cemented his place in the history of Manchester City.
Gundogan’s experience will be invaluable to Barcelona coach Xavi, who is looking to rebuild the team after the departure of long-serving midfielder Sergio Busquets. The LaLiga champions won the league title last season but failed to progress beyond the group stage in the Champions League and were knocked out in the Copa del Rey semi-finals. The signing of Gundogan is expected to strengthen Barcelona’s midfield and help the team compete for major honours in the upcoming season.
