Manchester City have announced the signing of Ilkay Gündogan from Borussia Dortmund, who becomes the first signing of Pep Guardiola’s reign for a fee believed to be around £20m.
Gündogan dislocated a knee cap at the beginning of May and will miss Germany’s Euro 2016 campaign, but City were satisfied by the 25-year-old’s condition and eager to complete the deal early in the summer. The club say he is “recovering well” from the injury.
The midfielder said Guardiola’s convincing philosophy was a key reason behind his decision to swap the Bundesliga for the Premier League.
“After five successful years, my time in Dortmund is over,” Gündogan said in a statement. “Special thanks to my coaches Jürgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel. I had a great time with them and advanced to a player of the German national team.
“The reason for my transfer is the great opportunity to join Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Guardiola asked me to go to Manchester and convinced me with his philosophy. I believe this is the right step for me at the moment. Under his lead, I want to keep improving my skills as a football player.”
Gündogan would have been allowed to depart the Westfalenstadion for free next summer and added he is glad that Dortmund, who have lost several of their best players in recent seasons, will receive a transfer fee.
“I’m happy that despite my injury, I could keep my promise not to leave Dortmund on a free transfer. Good luck to BVB for the future. I will give my best to get fit again as soon as possible.”
Speaking to the club’s website, he vowed to give everything to bring silverware to the Etihad: “I can promise the City fans I will give everything to help us win titles both in England and the Champions League. These are exciting times.
“I have my best years ahead of me and I think we can achieve great things together. I can’t wait to begin this new chapter in my career.”
City’s director of football, Txiki Begiristain, said: “Ilkay is an excellent addition to our team and we are delighted to have him on board.
“He is an intelligent and versatile midfielder who can operate in a number of different roles. I think our supporters will enjoy his work ethic and technical ability and I believe he will be a very important player for us in the coming years.”
