2023-06-26 14:14:37
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Germany midfielder Ilkay Gundogan said he had a “great advantage and great pleasure” in playing for Manchester City, following the German player joined Barcelona on a free transfer.
Manchester City offered Gundogan a new deal, but he decided to leave for the Catalan club under a two-year deal, with the option to extend for a third year.
Gundogan, 32, ends his contract with Manchester City at the end of June.
The German player said: “Manchester City is my home, and in it I feel like a member of a very special family.”
Gundogan played 51 matches in the 2022-2023 season, scoring 11 goals, and he also played a prominent role in Manchester City winning the treble (three titles in one season).
In his last seven matches, Gundogan has scored six goals – including two in the FA Cup final once morest Manchester United.
Gundogan’s contract with Barcelona includes a release clause of 400 million euros ($436,680,000).
Gundogan had joined Manchester City from Borussia Dortmund for 20 million pounds ($ 25,430,300) in 2016; Where he was the first player signed for the English team under coach Pep Guardiola.
Gundogan participated in 304 matches, scored 60 goals, and won 12 major awards – including the Premier League title (Premier League) five times, the Champions League once, the FA Cup twice, and the League Cup four times.
Gundogan said he had lived “hundreds of unforgettable moments” with Manchester City, and that leading the team to the treble was the “greatest achievement” of his career.
And the German added, “First of all, I would like to thank Pep Guardiola, because playing under his management and learning from him for a long time is something I will never forget.”
Gundogan continued, “I would also like to thank all my teammates – past and present – who all played a special role in me living here an amazing time.”
And the player went on to say, “I also want to thank the amazing Manchester City fans. They have supported me from the moment I arrived, and I owe them so much for that support.”
For his part, Manchester City sporting director Txiki Begiristain praised Gundogan’s “intelligence, leadership and commitment” to the team, saying those qualities were “an inspiration to everyone”.
Begiristain said, “Ilkay has established his name in the history of Manchester City, and we all wish him well in the next steps of his career.”
“As he leaves us, he knows that he will always be welcome at this football club,” Begiristain added.
Gundogan’s departure came in the wake of Manchester City’s agreement to sign Chelsea to buy Croatian defender Mateo Kovacic for 30 million pounds ($38,138,400).
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