Gündoğan: “It was Barça or nothing”

Ilkay Gündoğan have officially joined FC Barcelona now that his contract with Manchester City has ended.

Gundogan joined for two seasons, through to 30 June 2025, with the option to stay for one more year.

His buyout clause was set at 400 million euros.

Speaking on his move to Spain, Gundogan noted that he dreamed of playing for Barcelona as a little kid.

Gündogan said: “If I was going to move, there is only one club in the world that made sense. It was Barça or nothing. Ever since I was a little kid, I dreamed of wearing that shirt some day.”

“I know there’s going to be a lot of pressure at Barça. But I love pressure. I love to get out of my comfort zone. I was not looking for an easy landing. I was looking for a new challenge. That’s what this next chapter is all about.”

“I’m confident that I have a few more years left at the highest level, and I just want to help bring Barça back to where they deserve to be. It will be a reunion with my old friend Lewy, and I’m excited to play under another manager who I’ve 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.”