Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.
The German midfielder, whose future has been subject to intense speculation, will join the Camp Nou side on a two-year deal with the option of a 12-month extension.
He leaves Man City after seven successful years, where he won 12 major trophies with the Cityzens, including a historic treble last season.
Gundogan made 304 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, scoring 60 times. Guardiola was fond of him and wanted to keep him at the club beyond this summer.
But the 32-year-old rejected a contract extension in favour of a move to Barcelona, where he will be reunited with his friend and Barca striker Robert Lewandowski.
9 years later… 🤝 pic.twitter.com/H7Kam9tebZ
— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) June 26, 2023
Shortly after sealing his move to Camp Nou, Gundogan penned a farewell letter to his former club entitled ‘Thank you, City,’ in which he admits that he had ‘fulfilled every dream he ever had with the Etihad side.
“Today is bittersweet,” he wrote on The Players Tribune. “Goodbyes are never easy, but it’s even harder with this team. 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.
“It’s amazing what we achieved. Five Premier League titles in my seven years here. Two FA Cups. The Champions League. The treble. But those are just trophies. The thing that I will remember the most is the feeling inside the squad, especially this season. I’ve never experienced something like it in football.”
Gundogan also spoke about his move to Spain, admitting that he had always wanted to play for Barcelona.
“If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense.
“It was Barcelona or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt someday.”to
