Gundogan swaps Etihad for Nou Camp after finishing football in England

Manchester City history-making captain and midfielder Ilkay Gundogan has agreed to a switch from England to Spain with the German swapping the Etihad Stadium for the Nou Camp. It is a deal that has long being coming since last season.

• Ilkay Gundogan joined Manchester City in 2016 from Borussia Dortmund.

• Barcelona has long been tagged with interest in the player.

• He signed a two-year contract at the Catalan side after his heroics for City in the Champions League.

Gundogan led an all-sweeping Manchester City side to a treble which included the only trophy that eluded the illustrious club; the UEFA Champions League. Having achieved that feat while skippering the side, the German has opted to not sign a new deal with Pep Guardiola’s side and instead switch to the Spaniard’s former home in Spain.

According to football transfer guru, Fabrizio Romano, the German has signed a two-year contract with the Xavi-led Spanish champions. The German leaves having cemented his legacy at the Etihad and in English football.

Arriving in 2016 from Borussia Dortmund along with Pep Guardiola who joined from Bayern Munich, the German has been instrumental in City’s success. He made just 10 league appearances and an additional six in other competitions in his debut season.

Since then, he has made at least 40 appearances in each of the other five seasons in Manchester, racking up a total of 304 appearances and adding 60 goals to his numbers. He has also won every trophy available in English football after claiming his first double in the 2017-2018 season. Five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and two Community Shields make up his impressive list before he completed football in England by winning the Champions League.

Why Gundogan is perfect for Barcelona?

Many players desire to turn out for the top clubs in the world and Barcelona is one of them. Despite the Catalans’ recent struggles especially, with finance, they have remained one of the best clubs in the world and they still attract more talent than many clubs that have money to spare. They have beaten Real Madrid to the La Liga title this just-ended season and have ambition for more. So it is no surprise that the German wants to be part of the project which is led by Xavi.

Sergio Busquets has left the club he has played for since childhood and his replacement is very much needed. The veteran midfielder played 30 league matches for the Catalans this season signifying his essence to the club which explains that Barcelona needed an assured replacement. Gundogan is not a long-term project but he will give Barcelona the needed space to operate while they address their books and hope to land the ideal long-term replacement in the coming years.

So though Gundogan had the chance to remain in England with Manchester City, especially after his heroic shows this season, a new life in Barcelona represents a new challenge for German as he nears the end of his career.