Ilkay Gundogan to leave Manchester City following 'extra special season'

Ilkay Gundogan on Monday confirmed his exit from Manchester City, saying he will always carry the club in his heart.

It was reported last week that Gundogan, 32, had agreed to join Spanish champions Barcelona on a three-year contract.

It comes just weeks after the Germany midfielder captained Manchester City to the most successful season in the club's history, winning the Premier League, FA Cup and Champions League.

“For me it has been a total privilege and pleasure to be part of Manchester City for the last seven years,” Gundogan told the club's website.

“Manchester has been my home and I have felt part of a very special family at City.

“I have been lucky to have experienced so many unforgettable moments in my time here and to have been captain for this extra special season has been the greatest experience of my career."

City boss Pep Guardiola was a huge fan of Gundogan and was keen to keep the former Borussia Dortmund midfielder who played a key role in City's thrilling end to 2022/23, scoring six goals goals in his final seven appearances including a brace in the FA Cup final win over Manchester United.

But the club were reported to only be willing to offer Gundogan a new one-year contract with the option of a further 12 months to remain at the Etihad Stadium.

Gundogan, who joined City from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for a fee of around £20 million, won five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, and four League Cups during his time at the club.

His final act in a City shirt was to lift the European Cup on June 10 as City beat Italy's Inter Milan 1-0 in the Champions League final in Istanbul. In total he made 304 appearances for City, scoring 60 goals.

“First, I would like to thank Pep. To have been able to play under