Manchester City has secured a major coup with the return of midfielder Ilkay Gundogan, who has hailed the club as the “best in the world”.
Gundogan’s reunion with the Premier League champions comes just over a year after he departed for Barcelona, where he spent a solitary season.
The 33-year-old German international expressed his joy at rejoining City, saying: “I am incredibly happy. Happy to see the teammates, the staff, people that over seven years I had an amazing time with, a very successful time with. Many ups, and a few downs, but in general, an incredible experience.”
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Gundogan’s first stint at City was marked by unprecedented success, with five Premier League titles and the Champions League among 12 major trophies. He departed the English champions in 2023, but his time in Spain was short-lived, with Barcelona agreeing to rescind his contract after just one season.
Reflecting on his brief absence, Gundogan said: “When you leave this place like I did last year, you spend a year away, and you then start to appreciate the place even more. You realise what you had. You realise how amazing that time was. You realise how big the club is — the best club in the world.”
City’s Director of Football Txiki Begiristain welcomed Gundogan’s return, praising his professionalism and dedication. “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,” Begiristain said.
“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,” Begiristain added.
Gundogan’s return is a timely boost for City, who recently lost Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid. He will provide experience and depth to Pep Guardiola’s squad as they pursue a record-extending fifth consecutive Premier League title.
