After signing on the dotted line on Monday, former Manchester City captain, Ilkay Gündoğan, has formally began his journey with Barcelona.
In a charming signing ceremony, Gündoğan, accompanied by his household, took heart stage as he dedicated himself to the reigning La Liga champions.
Throughout the previous season, Gündoğan’s performances on the pitch garnered widespread consideration, establishing him as a power to be reckoned with in each place he performed.
As his contract with Manchester City reached its conclusion, Barcelona emerged as the right vacation spot for the gifted Turkish German participant, main him to embark on a well-deserved trip earlier than diving headfirst into this new chapter of his profession.
Amid an environment brimming with pleasure, the signing ceremony unfolded, graced by the presence of Barcelona President Joan Laporta.
Gündoğan solidified his alliance with the Catalan giants by signing the official contract that marked the start of an exhilarating period.
Having achieved exceptional success with Manchester City, profitable the English Premier League, the Champions League, and the FA Cup final season, Gündoğan bid a fond farewell to his English teammates and eagerly embraced the challenges that awaited him at Barcelona.
At the signing ceremony, Gündoğan revealed, “As a young fan, I never missed a Barcelona match on weekends. I grew up watching Rijkaard’s Barça, and the influence of Pep Guardiola and numerous idols in this team shaped my journey. To now don the Barcelona jersey is an indescribable honor.”
Gündoğan’s extraordinary contributions to Manchester City within the 2022-23 season are not possible to miss.
In a complete of 51 matches performed throughout numerous positions, the expert midfielder showcased his prowess, tallying a powerful 11 objectives and seven assists.
Now, as Gündoğan units foot on Barcelona’s hallowed grounds, he eagerly anticipates the chance to make a big affect.
The Catalan membership’s youthful and gifted midfield lineup has not escaped his consideration, and he acknowledges the worth of his expertise in guiding and mentoring the staff’s rising stars.
“Their talent is extraordinary, be it Gavi, Pedri or Luuk De Jong. I come with the experience gained from overcoming challenges in my life and career. I believe that my journey can be a source of inspiration and assistance for them,” Gündoğan stated.
Despite his age, Gündoğan stays steadfast in his willpower to face new challenges head-on, fueling his drive to repeatedly show himself on the pitch.
Having labored underneath former Barcelona supervisor Pep Guardiola at Manchester City, Gündoğan expects a easy transition into La Blaugrana underneath Xavi.
“The style of play at Barcelona is reminiscent of what I experienced at City. Guardiola and Xavi share similar philosophies, and I felt an instant connection with Xavi from the very beginning. Our conversations reaffirmed that I had made the right decision,” Gündoğan affirmed.
Source: www.dailysabah.com
