Man City has confirmed the departure of the club legend, Ilkay Gundogan – who joined Galatasaray on the form of free transfer just a year after returning to Etihad from Barca.
Man City's homepage announced that Gundogan left the club, and the 34 -year -old midfielder officially moved to the Turkish team, Galatasaray. The negotiations took place for weeks, and Galatasaray tried his best to get a “blockbuster” contract before the summer transfer closed.
The former German player left Etihad for the second time, after re -signing a contract with Barca in 2024 after 7 years of initially attached to the blue half of Manchester. Now, he will continue his career with his childhood team in Istanbul, signing a contract until the summer of 2027.
“Ilkay Gundogan left Man City to join the Turkish club, Galatasaray. Everyone in Man City wish Ilkay a lot of luck in the new chapter of his career,” Man City's homepage announced.
Football director Hugo Viana praised Gundogan's time at Etihad: “Ilkay Gundogan is a name synonymous with success at Man City. He has brought one title to another title of Etihad and no one can forget his great role in those successes. But more than a football player, since I came here, I have a humble person, Really great “.
“Perhaps it is time for him to say goodbye, but we will never forget his heritage. Ilkay has really strengthened the position in the history of Man City and we all wish him all the good things in the next chapter of his career. Ilkay left with the belief that he would always be welcomed at this football club,” Man City's boss added.
Gundogan personally said the last words before leaving Man City: “We have achieved a lot of success together and have a lot of memorable moments, especially to become the captain in the triple season. The winning of the English Premier League and the FA Cup has great significance to me, but giving the opportunity to raise the Champions League for the first time for this club, especially in Istanbul, I will live in me, I will live in my opinion The fact that Man City will achieve more success in the future, and I will definitely watch from afar when I continue my career in Türkiye, a country that is extremely meaningful to me. “
Gundogan left as one of the most achievement and influential midfielders of Man City, won 5 Premier League championships, 1 Champions League championship and many domestic cups under Pep Guardiola. Leadership, goals and technical qualities helped him become a key factor in Man City's dominance. His departure takes place in the context of coach Pep Guardiola continues to rebuild midfield after the appearance of Rayan Cherki, Nico Gonzalez and Tijjani Reijnders.