Ilkay Gundogan completes Barcelona move from Man City

Barcelona have confirmed the signing of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City as a free agent.

Gundogan, 32, is out of contract with City on the finish of the month and has agreed to hitch Barca on a two-year cope with the choice for a 3rd 12 months. His launch clause has been fastened at €400 million.

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Sources instructed ESPN final week that City had been unwilling to match Barca’s monetary provide and would solely prolong Gundogan’s contract for one 12 months with an possibility for a second.

“Today is bittersweet. Goodbyes are never easy, but it’s even harder with this team,” Gundogan wrote in the Players Tribune.

“When I had to break the news to the boys that I was leaving in our group chat, I was very emotional. I will miss all of them, honestly. But I am happy to say that I’m leaving here as a champion, and I have nothing but love for the club in my heart. How many footballers can say goodbye as the captain of a treble team?

“It’s wonderful what we achieved. Five Premier League titles in my seven years right here. Two FA Cups. The Champions League. The treble. But these are simply trophies. The factor that I’ll bear in mind probably the most is the sensation contained in the squad, particularly this season. I’ve by no means skilled one thing prefer it in soccer.”

The German international becomes the Catalan club’s first signing of the summer, although ESPN have previously revealed there is also an agreement in place to sign defender Inigo Martinez when his deal with Athletic Bilbao expires at the end of June.

Gundogan joins Barca, who won their first league title since 2019 this past season, to add depth and goals to midfield after they missed out on Lionel Messi, who has opted to join Inter Miami CF.

Barca coach Xavi Hernandez has been keen to strengthen his side in the final third after judging performance levels to have dropped when they were without Pedri last season.

In addition to Pedri, Gundogan will complement a midfielder that also includes Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Franck Kessie and Sergi Roberto.

However, with the departure of Sergio Busquets to Inter Miami, Xavi has said the club also desperately need to sign a deeper midfield, with sources telling ESPN that is now the club’s top transfer priority.

Gundogan is calling time on a seven-year spell at City after captaining the English side to a historic treble, culminating in their first Champions League trophy earlier this month.

He scored 11 goals in 51 appearances this season, including a brace in the FA Cup final against Manchester United. He leaves City after winning five Premier League titles and 14 trophies in total.

Prior to joining City in 2016, he spent time at Borussia Dortmund, where he played alongside Barca striker Robert Lewandowski, FC Nurnberg and VfL Bochum.

“If I used to be going to move, there is just one membership on this planet that made sense. It was Barcelona or nothing,” Gundogan added.

“Ever since I used to be just a little child, I dreamed of carrying that shirt some day. I’m assured that I’ve just a few extra years left on the highest stage, and I simply wish to assist carry Barcelona again to the place they should be.

“It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewa, and I’m excited to play under another manager who I have admired for a long time. When Xavi and I talked about the project, it just seemed so natural. I see so many similarities between us as characters and in the way we see the game.”