Staff Writer
After his contract with Manchester City expired, Ilkay Gundogan signed for Barcelona on a free transfer, the Catalan club announced on Monday.
The 32-year-old German midfielder has agreed to a two-year contract with a one-year extension option and a 400 million euro ($436 million) release clause.
Barcelona released a statement saying, “He is bringing his presence, nose for goal and reading of the game which has made him one of the best midfielders of the past decade.”
Since joining Pep Guardiola’s City club in 2016, Gundogan has been a key player, leading the group to a historic treble this season.
In the FA Cup final victory against rival Manchester United, the midfielder scored twice, and Guardiola acknowledged that City were attempting to extend his contract.
In addition to helping them win their first Champions League trophy this season, Manchester City is about to finalize Mateo Kovacic’s transfer from Chelsea to assist replace Gundogan, who won five Premier League titles during his stint at the club.
From Borussia Dortmund, where he won the Bundesliga and German Cup in 2012, Gundogan moved on to City.
He played for City in Manchester and scored 60 goals in 304 games. The new addition to Barcelona’s midfield adds depth to a position that already has several possibilities, including young Spaniards Pedri and Gavi and Dutchman Frenkie de Jong.
However, after captain Sergio Busquets left for Inter Miami at the end of his contract, coach Xavi Hernandez stated that the team still needs to sign a defensive midfielder.
