Ilkay Gundogan: Gentleman City captain joins Barcelona as agreement expires | Football News

Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan has still left the club to be a part of Barcelona pursuing the expiration of his agreement.

Gundogan leaves Manchester on the again of the club’s finest season, lifting the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League trophies in the place of a month.

He spent seven a long time at the Etihad Stadium due to the fact signing up for from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, and manager Pep Guardiola had publicly hinted at his have motivation to increase that remain even more.

Gundogan was in talks with Metropolis around a new offer ahead of his deal expiry at the stop of this 7 days.

Nonetheless, the size of the deal on supply for the 32-yr-outdated – 1 year plus an selection of a even more 12 months – was a sticking place, and he has in its place penned a two-year deal, also such as a 12-month option, with LaLiga champions Barcelona. His launch clause has been established at €400m (£342m).

Gundogan explained to the Manchester City club web page: “For me, it has been a total privilege and satisfaction to be part of Manchester Town for the past seven yrs.

“Manchester has been my household and I have felt aspect of a really exclusive family members at City.

“I have been blessed to have seasoned so several unforgettable times in my time in this article and to have been captain for this additional unique season has been the best encounter of my career.

“1st, I would like to thank Pep. To have been capable to enjoy underneath and study from him for so long has been a little something I will hardly ever forget.

“I would also like to thank all my crew-mates – past and present – who have all played these types of a particular section in earning my time in this article so remarkable.

“Last but not least, I would like to thank the unbelievable City enthusiasts. They have supported me from the minute I arrived, and I owe them all so a lot for their support.

“This club produced me realise all my goals and I will forever be thankful for this prospect.

“I will have City often in my heart. When a blue, constantly a blue.”

Gundogan: Leaving Town the most difficult goodbye, Barca had been my only imagined

Crafting on the Player’s Tribune web page, Gundogan mentioned saying to his team-mates he was leaving Town was his toughest goodbye in football, and defined why he experienced picked Barcelona as his up coming, and possibly remaining, transfer in his career.

He wrote: “Goodbyes are in no way quick, but it’s even more durable with this workforce. When I had to break the news to the boys that I was leaving in our team chat, I was extremely emotional. I will pass up all of them, actually.

“But I am joyful to say that I am leaving below as a champion, and I have nothing but like for the club in my coronary heart. This year, one thing clicked. I just realized we were being likely to do it.

“I do not even indicate just the Champions League. The Premier League, the FA Cup – every little thing. Week immediately after week, I just felt everything lining up beautifully. Even when we ended up 10 points behind Arsenal, I knew we would gain the league.”

Addressing his decision to sign up for Barca, he added: “If I was heading to transfer, there is only one particular club in the earth that built perception. It was Barcelona or almost nothing.

“Ever due to the fact I was a tiny kid, I dreamed of sporting that shirt some working day. I am confident that I have a few far more many years left at the highest level, and I just want to assist convey Barcelona back again to exactly where they have earned to be.”

‘Gundogan leaves Gentleman Metropolis on a very exclusive high’

City’s director of football Txiki Begiristain paid tribute to “inspirational” Gundogan following the midfielder’s extensive-envisioned free of charge transfer to Barcelona was verified.

Gundogan, who was Guardiola’s initially signing in July 2016, signed off in style by lifting the Champions League trophy previously this thirty day period soon after victory in excess of Inter Milan in his 304th and ultimate visual appeal.

“Ilkay has been a fantastic servant for Manchester City, and he leaves our club on a very unique high having captained us to a historic treble,” stated Begiristain.

“He has performed a enormous section in the successes we have savored in modern seasons and Ilkay’s intelligence, management and dedication to the club – both equally on and off the industry – has been an inspiration to absolutely everyone.

“Ilkay has definitely cemented his spot in the heritage of Manchester Town and we all wish him effectively in the following chapter of his occupation.”

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