Ilkay Gundogan signs four-year deal with Manchester City
Gundogan will miss Euro 2016 with a dislocated kneecap but should return at the end of August or beginning of September
Ilkay Gundogan has become Manchester City’s first signing under incoming manager Pep Guardiola after he signed from Borussia Dortmund on a four-year deal for a fee of reportedly around £20m.
The 25-year old German midfielder, who confirmed his own signing on Twitter, will miss Euro 2016 with a dislocated patella suffered at the start of May.
https://twitter.com/Guendogan8/status/738278550353104896
In comments made on the official Manchester City website, Gundogan said:
“I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City. When I learned of City’s interest my heart was set on coming here and things have moved very quickly.
“I have loved my time with Borussia Dortmund and I would like to thank the club and the supporters for the five very happy years I spent there.
“They gave me a platform to play on and I became a better player because of the belief, patience and trust they showed in me.
“Now I have a new challenge and that is to achieve great things with City. The opportunity to work with a coach like Pep Guardiola is something I am really looking forward to and I am flattered to be the first signing the Club has made this summer.
“I can promise the City fans I will give everything to help us win titles both in England and the Champions League. These are exciting times.
“I have my best years ahead of me and I think we can achieve great things together. I can’t wait to begin this new chapter in my career.”
City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain added: “Ilkay is an excellent addition to our team and we are delighted to have him on board.
“He is an intelligent and versatile midfielder who can operate in a number of different roles. I think our supporters will enjoy his work ethic and technical ability and I believe he will be a very important player for us in the coming years.”
Gundogan’s ability to play in a variety of positions in central midfield, both dictating play and breaking up opposition attacks, and his energy and ability to keep the ball will be key to Guardiola’s plans as City revamp an ageing squad that finished fourth last season in the Premier League.
The arrival of Gundogan may only be the beginning of a reinvention for City’s central midfield – a crucial area for Guardiola – with the likes of Real Madrid’s Toni Kroos and Juventus’ Paul Pogba also linked.