MANSHETER, England (AP) — Ilkay Gandogan completed his move from Manchester City to Galatasaray on Tuesday, bringing an end to him The second spell With the Premier League club.
Former German International has signed a two-year contract with Turkish champion Galatasaray and is the latest prominent recruit for the Istanbul club during this transfer window after Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sain.
Gandogan helped City win five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four English League Cups and the Champions League. Join Barcelona in 2023. He returned a year later, but for the first time in eight years, he couldn’t prevent City from enduring its first trophyless season.
“Manchester City always holds a special place in my heart,” Gundogan said in a city announcement. “We were extremely successful together, and there were some unforgettable moments, especially captaining the treble season.”
His departure was a free transfer – nine players have been recruited from January after Pep Guardiola began overhauling his once dominant team.
The 34-year-old Gandogan has pushed the pecking order down after midfielders Tijani Reyjners and Nico Gonzalez have arrived in recent months as they did not play in any of City’s three Premier League matches this season.
During his time in City, Gundogan won the trophy high-pitched teams in 2023: the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League. The previous year he scored two goals on the final day of the season, securing a comeback 3-2 victory against Aston Villa, winning the title.
Football mayor Hugo Viana welcomed the era of gundogan in Etihad.
“Ilkay Gandogan is synonymous with success in Manchester City,” he said. “He took the trophies to the trophies and returned to Etihad, and no one will forget the big role he played in those successes.
“Now it may be time for him to say goodbye,” Viana added.
Turkish Gandogan said, “The first time I’m lifting this club’s Champions League trophy, especially in Istanbul, will live with me forever. I’m sure Manchester City will be much more successful in the future.
He was Guardiola’s first signing in the City when he joined from Borussia Dortmund in 2016.
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