By MANCHESTER, England — Manchester City has re-signed former captain Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona on an initial one-year contract with an option for a twelve-month extension, the club announced today.
Gundogan, thirty-three, returns to the Etihad Stadium after a single season with Barcelona. The German midfielder was Pep Guardiola’s first signing at City in two thousand sixteen and spent seven years with the club before joining Barcelona on a free transfer in two thousand twenty-three.
During his initial tenure at Manchester City, Gundogan made three hundred four appearances, scoring sixty goals and helping the team secure fourteen trophies.
“My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” Gundogan said in a statement. “Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player.”
The midfielder added, “Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again.”
Despite an impressive debut campaign in Spain, Barcelona opted to part ways with Gundogan. The Catalan club has been grappling with financial issues, struggling to register new signing Dani Olmo due to La Liga spending restrictions. Gundogan’s departure, given his status as one of the club’s highest earners, is expected to alleviate some of Barcelona’s financial pressures.
Addressing his departure from Barcelona, Gundogan wrote on social media, “I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.” He expressed gratitude for his twelve-month stint with the Spanish giants.
Gundogan, who has earned eighty-two caps for Germany, recently announced his international retirement following the country’s exit from Euro two thousand twenty-four in the quarter-finals against Spain.
The terms of the transfer, including any potential fee paid by Manchester City to Barcelona, have not been disclosed by either club.
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola has not yet commented on the re-signing of his former captain. The club is expected to provide further details on Gundogan’s role in the team in the coming days.
