On August 23, Manchester City, a giant club in the English Premier League, created a surprise after reaching an agreement to acquire Ilkay Gundogan. An experienced German midfielder from Barcelona without a fee. Signing a 1-year contract with an option to extend the contract for another year.

Gundogan is the first signing Pep Guardiola has made since taking charge at the Etihad Stadium in 2016, with the 33-year-old joining. From Borussia Dortmund for a fee in the region of £25million.

The German captain played for Manchester City for 7 seasons, playing a total of 304 games in all competitions, scoring 60 goals. And leading the “สมัคร ufabet” to 5 Premier League titles, 2 FA Cups, 4 League Cups and 1 UEFA Champions League.

Gundogan left City and decided to join Barcelona on a free transfer last season. Making 51 appearances in all competitions for the Blaugrana, scoring five goals, before returning to the Etihad Stadium.

“Seven years at Manchester City has been a time of real satisfaction for me on and off the pitch. Everyone feels the respect I have for Pep Guardiola,” said Gundogan, who captained City to a treble-winning season in 2022-23 .

“He’s the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player. To be honest, I can’t wait to pull on the Man City shirt again.”

Despite an impressive season in Spain, Barcelona have decided to part ways with Gundogan after failing to register new signing Dani Olmo from RB Leipzig due to the club’s financial problems.

Gundogan is one of Barcelona’s highest-paid players and his departure on a free transfer would allow the Blaugrana to comply with La Liga’s spending restrictions and also allow Olmo to play next season.

“I am leaving in very difficult circumstances, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me less sad. And I am looking forward to helping my team-mates in the new season, but this is the best I can do. I am grateful for the 12 months I spent with Barcelona,” Gundogan explained on Instagram.

As Guardiola said of Gundogan’s signing ahead of City’s trip to the Etihad Stadium to host Ipswich Town on Saturday, he said: “It’s a big surprise and I didn’t expect it at all.”

“We had no doubts about him when it was possible to re-sign him and we are delighted he is back,” the City boss concluded