Fiona Nanna, ForeMedia News
4 minutes read. Updated 10:04PM GMT Fri, 23August, 2024

Manchester City have made headlines with the surprising re-signing of Ilkay Gundogan from Barcelona. The German midfielder, who was Pep Guardiola’s first acquisition at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, has returned to Manchester City on an initial one-year deal, with the option of extending for an additional 12 months.
Gundogan’s departure from City in 2023 marked the end of a seven-year stint that was marked by significant success. During his time at the Etihad, the 33-year-old midfielder played a pivotal role in Manchester City’s triumphs, helping the club secure 14 trophies and scoring 60 goals in 304 appearances. His leadership was particularly notable as he captained the side during their historic Treble-winning season in 2023.
Reflecting on his return, Gundogan expressed his enthusiasm and fondness for his previous stint at Manchester City. “My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch,” Gundogan remarked. “Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world, and working with him every day makes you a better player. Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the city shirt again.”
Despite an impressive debut season with Barcelona, Gundogan’s departure was precipitated by the club’s financial challenges. Barcelona’s ongoing struggle to register new signing Dani Olmo due to La Liga’s spending restrictions necessitated the departure of high earners, including Gundogan. His exit on a free transfer aligns with Barcelona’s efforts to manage their financial constraints effectively.
In a heartfelt message on Instagram, Gundogan acknowledged the difficult circumstances of his departure but expressed gratitude for his time at Barcelona. “I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad,” he wrote. “I was looking forward to helping my teammates in the new campaign, but I am grateful to have spent 12 months at Barcelona.”
Manchester City’s manager, Pep Guardiola, revealed that the opportunity to re-sign Gundogan came as a complete surprise. “It was a complete surprise, unexpected,” Guardiola said. “We didn’t have any doubts when the possibility to re-sign him was open, and we’re absolutely delighted that he’s back.”
Gundogan, who has been capped 82 times for Germany, announced his international retirement following Germany’s exit from Euro 2024 in the quarter-finals to Spain. His return to Manchester City is expected to bolster the midfield options and bring a wealth of experience to the squad.