Ilkay Gundogan has rejoined Manchester City just over a year after leaving for Barcelona, signing a one-year deal.
Reflecting on his time at City, Gundogan expressed his deep connection with the club, stating, “My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch. 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”.
During his first spell at City, Gundogan was a key figure, winning 14 major trophies and helping the club secure five Premier League titles and a Champions League title.
The German midfielder played 304 times over seven seasons, scoring 60 goals, and earning the affection of City fans.
He is known for his ability to perform in crucial moments.
He famously scored the fastest goal in FA Cup final history in 2023, helping City defeat Manchester United.
A week later, he captained the team to a historic treble by lifting the Champions League trophy.
After moving to Barcelona, Gundogan played 51 matches in all competitions during his sole season at the Nou Camp, helping the club finish second in La Liga.
However, his future at Barcelona became uncertain after being left out of the opening match of the 2024/25 season against Valencia.
Despite having two years left on his contract, financial pressures led the club to consider offers for the midfielder.
Although there was interest from clubs in Spain and Saudi Arabia, Gundogan chose to return to Manchester City.
He will rejoin his former teammates ahead of their match against newly-promoted Ipswich Town.
Article updated 2 months ago. Content is written and modified by multiple authors.
