Manchester Metropolis have re-signed Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona on a free switch.
The midfielder returns to Pep Guardiola’s facet only a 12 months on from his exit to Barcelona final summer season on a free switch.
The 33-year-old, who spent seven years on the Etihad Stadium between 2016 and 2023, rejoins on a one-year contract plus the choice of an extra 12 months.
Sky Sports activities Information reported on Monday that Gundogan had been instructed he might depart Barcelona as they give the impression of being to commerce gamers to scale back their wage invoice.
The German solely needed a return to Metropolis and ignored curiosity from Saudi Arabia and Qatar due to that.
Gundogan, who retired from worldwide soccer earlier this week, captained Metropolis to a historic Treble earlier than his departure.
He made 304 appearances and scored 60 targets in his first stint at Metropolis as he gained 12 main trophies, together with 5 Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Gundogan turns into Metropolis’s second summer season signing after the arrival of Savinho from French facet Troyes in a £33.6m deal.
Gundogan: I can not wait to work with Pep once more
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Sky Sports activities Information’ senior reporter Melissa Reddy analyses Gundogan’s return to Man Metropolis
Gundogan revealed working with the “best manager in the world”, Pep Guardiola, once more was a significant factor in his determination to return.
“My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” he instructed the membership’s official web site.
“I grew as a person and a player, developed a special relationship with the City fans and enjoyed amazing success. It was an exceptional period in my life.
“To have the chance to return right here means a lot. Everybody is aware of the respect I’ve for Pep – he’s the perfect supervisor on the earth and dealing with him every single day makes you a greater participant. You’re feeling always challenged, which for any skilled is precisely what you need. I can not wait to work with him once more.
“And what can I say about my team-mates here at City…they are world-class footballers. I am genuinely delighted to have the chance to train and play alongside them. Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again.”
Man Metropolis’s director of soccer Txiki Begiristain added: “Ilkay is one of the finest professionals I have ever worked with. His dedication to football and his approach to every single training session is something special.
“He’s additionally an distinctive midfielder. His studying of the sport, his soccer intelligence, his technical high quality and his management make him a wonderful addition to our squad.
“To be able to bring him back here is fantastic news for everyone. He will help us in our main objective, which is to win trophies, but he will also be an inspiration to so many.”
