Barcelona has confirmed the acquisition of Manchester City free-agent midfielder Ilkay Gundogan.
Gundogan, 32, whose City contract expires at the end of the month, has agreed to a two-year agreement with a third-year option to join Barcelona. His release clause was set at €400,000,000.
Last week, sources told ESPN that City was reticent to match Barcelona’s financial offer and would only extend Gundogan’s contract for one year with a second-year option.
“Today is a mixed bag. It’s never simple to say goodbye, but it’s especially difficult with this team,” Gundogan wrote in the Players Tribune.
“I was very emotional when I had to tell the guys in our group chat that I was leaving. I will honestly mourn them all. However, I am pleased to say that I am departing as a champion and have nothing but affection for the club. How many football players can retire as captain of a treble-winning team?
“It’s incredible what we accomplished. I have won five Premier League championships in my seven years here. Both FA Cups. Championship League. Treble range. However, these are merely mementos. The feeling within the team, particularly during this season, is what I will recall most. I’ve never seen anything like it in football before.”
The German international becomes the Catalan club’s first summer transfer. However, ESPN has previously reported that an agreement is in place to sign Athletic Bilbao defender Inigo Martinez when his contract expires at the end of June.
Gundogan joins Barca, who won their first league title since 2019 last season, to add depth and goals to their midfield after Lionel Messi chose to sign with Inter Miami CF.
Xavi Hernandez, Barca’s head coach, felt that the team’s performance fell when Pedri was absent last season. As a result, he wished to bolster his squad’s performance in the final third.
Gundogan will join Pedri on a midfield that also features Frenkie de Jong, Gavi, Franck Kessie, and Sergi Roberto.
However, with Sergio Busquets’ departure to Inter Miami, Xavi has stated that the club is in dire need of a deeper midfielder. According to ESPN’s sources, this is now the club’s top transfer priority.
Gundogan is leaving Manchester City after a seven-year stint, during which he captained the English club to a historic treble, culminating in their first Champions League title this month.
He tallied 11 goals in 51 appearances this season, including two against Manchester United in the FA Cup final. He departs City having won five Premier League titles and a total of 14 trophies.
Prior to joining City in 2016, he played for Borussia Dortmund, FC Nurnberg, and VfL Bochum alongside Robert Lewandowski of Barcelona.
“There is only one club in the world that makes sense if I were to relocate. It was Barcelona or nothing,” added Gundogan.
“Ever since I was a child, I envisioned myself donning that shirt. I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I simply want to assist Barcelona in returning to where they belong.
It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewa, and I’m thrilled to play under a manager whom I have long admired. When Xavi and I discussed the project, it seemed completely natural. I see so many parallels between our characters and our perspectives on the game.”
