Gundogan leaves Man City to join Barcelona

Manchester City have confirmed the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Barcelona.

The move brings to an end a glittering seven-season spell at the Etihad Stadium for Gundogan, who arrived from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 as Pep Guardiola's first signing.

Gundogan leaves the Premier League a five-time champion, having made 188 appearances and scored 44 goals in the competition for Man City.

The 32-year-old would play a crucial role in several of those title successes, including a brilliant free-kick at Brighton & Hove Albion on the final day of 2018/19 to secure a 4-1 victory, while he came off the bench to net twice in a 3-2 comeback win over Aston Villa in the final fixture of 2021/22.

That season-defining display by the German helped him to claim the inaugural Castrol Game Changer of the Season award.

Gundogan became the first Man City player to win back-to-back EA SPORTS Player of the Month awards after claiming the prize in January and February 2021.

He also helped Man City win the UEFA Champions League, two FA Cups and four League Cups.

“For me it has been a total privilege and pleasure to be part of Manchester City for the last seven years,” Gundogan told the club’s official website.

“Manchester has been my home and I have felt part of a very special family at City.

“I have been lucky to have experienced so many unforgettable moments in my time here and to have been captain for this extra special season has been the greatest experience of my career.

“This club made me realise all my dreams and I will forever be thankful for this opportunity.

“I will carry City always in my heart. Once a blue, always a blue.”

In his penultimate match for the club, Gundogan scored the fastest ever goal in an FA Cup final, the first of his two strikes in a 2-1 triumph over Manchester United.

Gundogan’s last act as a Man City player was to captain them to European glory, as they beat Internazionale Milano 1-0 in Istanbul to claim their first Champions League trophy.