Galatasaray Sign Man City's Gundogan On Free Transfer

Galatasaray person signed knowledgeable German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Manchester City connected a free transfer.

The 34-year-old has agreed a woody until nan extremity of nan 2026-27 play pinch nan Turkish champions.

Gundogan had a twelvemonth near connected his City statement but was allowed to time off pinch nan Turkish transportation model unfastened until 12 September.

"Manchester City will ever clasp a typical spot successful my heart," said Gundogan, who played 358 games for City, scoring 65 goals.

"We person enjoyed truthful overmuch occurrence successful our clip together and location person been truthful galore unforgettable moments, not slightest being skipper for nan Treble-winning season.

"To triumph nan Premier League and FA Cup trophies meant truthful overmuch to me, but to past beryllium afforded nan opportunity of lifting nan Champions League trophy for this nine for nan first time, particularly successful Istanbul, will unrecorded pinch maine forever.

"I person nary doubts Manchester City will bask overmuch much occurrence successful nan early and I will surely beryllium watching connected from afar arsenic I proceed my profession successful Turkey, a state that intends ever specified a batch to me."

Gundogan was Pep Guardiola's first signing for City successful 2016 and spent 7 years location earlier he joined Barcelona connected a free transportation successful 2023.

He rejoined City successful August 2024 and made 33 appearances successful nan Premier League past play arsenic Guardiola's broadside vanished third.

Gundogan, who was calved successful nan German metropolis of Gelsenkirchen to Turkish parents, won nan Premier League 5 times astatine City arsenic good arsenic nan Champions League successful 2022-23.

He antecedently played for Bochum, Nuremberg and Borussia Dortmund.

"Ilkay Gundogan is simply a sanction synonymous pinch occurrence astatine Manchester City," said City head of shot Hugo Viana.

"We will ne'er hide his bequest here."

Kevin de Bruyne, Kyle Walker, Jack Grealish, Ederson, Manuel Akanji and now Ilkay Gundogan - Manchester City's summertime overhaul of their squad has been completed, and conscionable return a look astatine nan magnitude of acquisition that has been mislaid from nan dressing room.

Manager Pep Guardiola openly said astir nan request to activity pinch a smaller squad arsenic he did not want to "leave 4 aliases 5 players astatine home" connected matchdays, but a caller and younger group will now return nan nine forward.

Sources had told BBC Sport earlier successful nan model that Gundogan would beryllium allowed to research his options if a bully capable connection came in, and he has been allowed to depart.

German-born but pinch Turkish heritage, Gundogan heads 'home' to Galatasaray, a nine he apparently supported arsenic a kid aft posting specified pictures connected societal media.

Gundogan will everlastingly beryllium remembered for his last-gasp double to seal nan Premier League title successful 2022, and will undoubtedly person a tremendous invited erstwhile he returns to Etihad Stadium pinch Galatasaray successful January successful nan group shape of nan Champions League.