Ilkay Gundogan, a standout footballer, has officially joined FC Barcelona, as announced by the club's official website on June 26. The German midfielder will stay with the club for two seasons until June 30, 2025, with an option for a one-year extension. The buyout clause for the player has been set at a staggering 400 million Euros.
Gundogan started his professional career at Nurnberg after progressing from his youth club Bochum. His performance caught the attention of Borussia Dortmund, where he then moved and dominated the Bundesliga stage. Despite a series of injuries, Gundogan displayed exceptional performance on the field, commanding the Dortmund midfield and making his mark in the German national team.
After a successful stint in Germany, Gundogan transferred to Manchester City for 27 million Euros. Despite it being his first time on the English stage, he did not need time to adjust and raised numerous winning trophies with City. After the end of last season, he took over the captain's armband from Fernandinho and led his teammates.
Under Pep Guardiola's command, Manchester City achieved a "treble" by winning the English Premier League (EPL), the FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League. Gundogan's dedication and performance as captain were a significant part of these triumphs.
Despite this, his time with Manchester City came to an end as his contract with the club expired this summer. Although Sky Sports reported that negotiations for a new contract with City were undertaken, the contract's duration became a stumbling block.
After parting ways with Manchester City, Gundogan has now joined FC Barcelona, where he will be a veteran presence among younger players like Pedri, Pablo Gavi, and Frenkie de Jong in the midfield. His arrival is being hailed as a major gain for manager Xavi Hernandez.