Barcelona have confirmed the signing of Ilkay Gundogan on a free transfer.

He will join on a two year deal (with the option of a 12 month extension) after his contract at Man City  ended following 12 major trophies in his seven years at the club.

The 32-year-old, who scored 60 goals in 304 games for the Cityzens and played a key role in their treble success last season, has a release clause of £342 million.

Man City player signs a two-year contract with Barcelona that includes a £340m release clause

He tweeted he was ‘once a blue, always a blue’ after leaving the club, and insisted they had ‘made him realise his dreams’.

Barca won La Liga last season but struggled in Europe as they were knocked out of the Europa League in a last 16 play-off by Manchester United.

Manager Xavi will hope Gundogan’s trophy-winning pedigree can add to a side whose rivals Real Madrid have also strengthened in midfield by signing Jude Bellingham. The Germany international will be missed at the Etihad after scoring key goals last seen in the FA Cup final and Premier League clinching games late in the season. After making his name as a solid and well-rounded midfielder with Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan developed into a regular scorer at City and even topped the club’s goal charts in 2020/21.

 

Source: MICHAEL RUDLING