2 days ago
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Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has said goodbye to the club for the second time in three years
Manchester City have confirmed the departure of Ilkay Gundogan to Galatasaray. The midfielder has departed to join the Turkish champions on a free transfer after it was agreed that he could leave despite activating a 12-month extension earlier in the year.
The 34-year-old only returned to City last summer from Barcelona and earned his new contract when he played a set number of matches last term.
But he has yet to feature in the Premier League this season and was left out of the matchday squad for the Etihad defeat to Tottenham.
Gundogan has been linked with a move for most of the summer, with his return to the club from Barcelona a year ago not working out. He re-signed for the club after just one year in Spain and struggled to rediscover the form he had shown before leaving for the Nou Camp in 2023.
The window in Turkey is open until September 12, but Galatasaray wanted to conclude a deal today to ensure they could register the veteran midfielder in time to feature in the Champions League. Squad lists must be submitted to UEFA by midnight CET on Tuesday, which is 11pm in England and 1am Wednesday morning in Istanbul.
“Ilkay Gundogan is a name synonymous with success at Manchester City," said City sporting director Hugo Viana. "He brought trophy upon trophy back to the Etihad and no-one will ever forget the huge role he played in those successes.
“But more than the footballer, having got to know him since my arrival, I’ve had the privilege of meeting a fantastic person – humble, intelligent and selfless – truly fantastic human qualities. It may now be time for him to say goodbye, but we will never forget his legacy here at Manchester City.
“Ilkay has truly cemented his place in the history of Manchester City and we all wish him well in the next chapter of his career. And he leaves us knowing that he will always be welcomed at this football club.”
Gundogan could make an early return to the Etihad, with City welcoming Galatasaray on the final match day of the league phase on January 28. Okan Buruk's side also play Eintracht Frankfurt, Liverpool, Bodo/Glimt, Ajax, Union Saint-Gilloise, Monaco and Atletico Madrid in the league phase.
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