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Take care of him Barca'- Fans react as FC Barcelona announce signing of Ilkay Gundogan

Ilkay Gundogan, the Manchester City midfielder, has ended a seven-year tenure with the club and has joined FC Barcelona.

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Ilkay Gundogan

Image Source- Twitter

 

Ilkay Gundogan Image Source- Twitter

Ilkay Gundogan, the Manchester City midfielder, has ended a seven-year tenure with the club and has joined FC Barcelona. After leading the Citizens to the treble last season, Gundogan will sign a two-year contract with Xavi's team, with the option for a third year.

Following the end of his current contract, the treble-winning captain is poised to sign with Barça, who have placed his buyout clause at €400 million (£342 million). Gundogan's arrival at Barcelona will bolster Xavi's midfield options during a summer that has seen Sergio Busquets leave the club. The veteran has chosen to join Lionel Messi at MLS club Inter Miami.

Ilkay Gudogan at Manchester City

Gundogan turned down a contract extension from City to join Barcelona, who have given him a two-year agreement with the option to extend it for another season if he participates in at least 60% of the games on offer in 2024/2025.

In his seven years at City, the German International won the Premier League five times, in addition to two FA Cups this season, scoring the quickest goal in final history at 12 seconds, four League Cups and the Champions League. He has been an absolute legend for the club.

He said, “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,” said the former Germany international. “First, I would like to thank Pep. To have been able to play under and learn from him for so long has been something I will never forget."

The La Liga winners originally announced by tweeting a six-second animation spelling out the word "ANNOUNCE" Given that the 'U' was later seen to have dot-like German umlauts above it, as Gundogan's name also does, it seemed clear that Barcelona was about to unveil the 32-year-old as their newest acquisition.

Barca quickly followed up with a second, much clearer footage. It featured Gundogan's name on the shoulders of their new home jersey for the 2023/2024 season. Then, in a third tweet, Barcelona posted a photoshopped image of Gundogan celebrating a goal while wearing the shirt, with the phrase "welcome" printed in English, Catalan, and Castellano.

Here's how fans reacted 

 

 

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