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LONDON, UK | Xinhua | Ilkay Gundogan has returned to Manchester City on a free transfer, just a season after leaving the club to join FC Barcelona.
Gundogan has signed a one-year contract with the Premier League champions, with the option for it to be extended for a second season at the club where he scored 60 goals in 304 appearances in his first spell.
“My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” said Gundogan, who added that he was delighted to return to work with head coach Pep Guardiola.
“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 […] Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again,” he added.
The 33-year-old, who recently confirmed his retirement from international football, has been allowed to leave Barcelona without a fee, and in return has rejected any compensation for the remaining two years on the three-year contract he had agreed with the Spanish club last summer.
Barcelona’s debts of over 1,000 million euros means Gundogan has been allowed to leave in order for Barca to inscribe new signing Dani Olmo into their first-team squad, with La Liga’s strict financial fair-play rules forcing Barca’s hand.
“I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad,” Gundogan commented on social media.
The midfielder flew to England on Tuesday and reportedly had dinner with Guardiola, who was delighted to welcome him back.
“It was a complete surprise, unexpected. We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility to re-sign him was open, and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s back,” said Guardiola.
Gundogan’s arrival will help City’s squad depth, after selling Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and losing Norwegian winger Oscar Bobb to a broken leg.
Gundogan originally joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, helping the club to 14 trophies, including the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League treble in 2023, along with five league titles, two FA Cups and four League Cups. ■
