Ilkay Gundogan pens an emotional farewell to Man City as he admits telling Pep Guardiola ‘was one of the hardest calls’ he’s made, heaps praise on ‘misunderstood’ Jack Grealish and insists he’s ready for the pressure of playing for Barcelona
- Ilkay Gundogan has sent a letter to Man City, paying tribute to the club and fans
- It comes as he was unveiled by Barcelona as their latest signing on Monday
- Gundogan also claimed that the LaLiga giants were the only team he’d leave for
Ilkay Gundogan has written an emotional farewell letter to Manchester City and the club’s fans after his transfer to Barcelona was unveiled today.
The German midfielder, who captained the Citizens to their first Champions League title earlier this month, spent seven years at the English club, winning 12 major titles while scoring 60 goals in 304 appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side.
With his contract set to expire on June 30, he will leave the club on a free transfer and in a letter that was entitled ‘Thank you, City’ admitted that it was a ‘bittersweet day’.
‘Today is bittersweet,’ the German international wrote in a blog post on The Players Tribune. ‘Goodbyes are never easy, but it’s even harder with this team. When I had to break the news to the boys that I was leaving in our group chat, I was very emotional. I will miss all of them, honestly. But I am happy to say that I’m leaving here as a champion, and I have nothing but love for the club in my heart.
After 7 years a wonderful time ends. You made me realize all my dreams. ¿¿ I will carry you forever in my heart. Once a blue, always a blue! Thank you @ManCity! ¿¿¿ pic.twitter.com/YLCrsJU0TG
— Ilkay Gündogan (@IlkayGuendogan) June 26, 2023
‘It’s amazing what we achieved. Five Premier League titles in my seven years here. Two FA Cups. The Champions League. The treble. But those are just trophies. The thing that I will remember the most is the feeling inside the squad, especially this season. I’ve never experienced something like it in football.’
On the move to Barcelona, he added: ‘If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense. It was Barcelona or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt some day.
‘I am confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help bring Barcelona back to where they deserve to be. It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewa, and I’m excited to play under another manager who I have admired for a long time.
‘When Xavi and I talked about the project, it just seemed so natural. I see so many similarities between us as characters and in the way we see the game.’
The midfielder also wrote on Twitter: ‘After 7 years a wonderful time ends. You made me realize all my dreams.
‘I will carry you forever in my heart. Once a blue, always a blue! Thank you!.’
More to follow…
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