Ilkay Gundogan is again with Manchester Metropolis after the Premier League champions resigned their former captain on Friday on a one-year contract.
The 33-year-old German left Metropolis for Barcelona in 2023 on a free switch after main Pep Guardiola’s group to the treble.
Gundogan might be obtainable for Saturday’s match in opposition to Ipswich City on the Etihad Stadium.
“My seven years at Manchester Metropolis have been a time of pure contentment for me, each on and off the pitch,” Gundogan stated.
“I grew as an individual and a participant, developed a particular relationship with the Metropolis followers and loved superb success. It was an distinctive interval in my life. To have the chance to
return right here means a lot.”
Gundogan returns received 14 main trophies with Metropolis, together with 5 Premier League titles and the Champions League.
Though he had been below contract at Barcelona for 2 extra years, he was instructed the membership wouldn’t stand in his method if he wished to depart.
“After only one yr it’s already time to say goodbye,” Gundogan stated in a social media put up.
“I got here right here to face a brand new, thrilling problem, and I used to be prepared for it. I’ve given all the things to combat for the group and the membership the very best method in a troublesome season.
“Now I’m leaving in a troublesome state of affairs, but when my departure might help the membership financially, it makes me a bit much less unhappy.”
Gundogan made 51 appearances final season, serving to Barca to a second-place end in La Liga.
His return is welcome for Metropolis facet who offered Argentina ahead Julian Alvarez to Atletico Madrid and are with out winger Oscar Bobb for as much as 4 months after the Norwegian broke his leg in coaching.
Gundogan joined Metropolis from Borussia Dortmund in 2016, scoring each objectives in Metropolis’s 2-1 win over Manchester United within the 2023 FA Cup ultimate, together with the quickest in FA Cup ultimate historical past, inside 13 seconds.
He scored 60 objectives in 304 appearances for Guardiola’s facet.
Gundogan lately introduced his retirement from worldwide soccer after 82 appearances, captaining Germany at Euro 2024.
