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| Credit: FCB/ Twitter |
Barcelona have secured the services of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer following his departure from Manchester City, where he played a crucial role in their triumphant treble-winning season. The German midfielder has inked a two-year contract with the La Liga club. Barcelona has also announced that Gundogan's contract includes an option for an additional year, extending until June 2025. Furthermore, they have included a substantial buyout clause of 400 million euros ($436 million).
Gundogan bid farewell to Manchester City after a successful seven-year stint, during which he achieved remarkable success, including winning 14 trophies, including five league titles. He expressed his gratitude and described his time at Manchester City as a privilege and pleasure. The midfielder cherished the unforgettable moments he experienced and considered captaining the team during the extraordinary season as the pinnacle of his career.
Having joined Manchester City in 2016 as Pep Guardiola's first signing, Gundogan quickly became an integral part of the squad despite initially being sidelined due to a knee injury. He proved his worth in crucial matches, scoring vital goals that contributed to the team's success in recent seasons. Throughout his time at City, Gundogan made over 300 appearances, scoring 60 goals and providing 40 assists across all competitions.
Txiki Begiristain, City's director of football, praised Gundogan's influence, calling him an inspiration to everyone at the club. Begiristain acknowledged Gundogan's significant contribution to Manchester City's history and wished him well in his future endeavors.
Gundogan's wealth of experience will be invaluable to Barcelona's coach, Xavi, especially after the departure of long-serving midfielder Sergio Busquets, who spent 18 years with the Catalan club. While Barcelona clinched the La Liga title in the previous season, their Champions League campaign ended at the group stage, and they were eliminated in the Copa del Rey semifinals.