Manchester City have completed the first signing of the summer transfer window and thus the first acquisition of the Pep Guardiola era with the signing of Ilkay Gundogan.
The 25-year-old Borussia Dortmund midfielder is now on his way out of BVB, and headed to the Etihad.
Ilkay Gundogan said in a video posted on the official Manchester City Twitter feed: “Hello City fans. You have been tweeting me for a long time and now I officially announce that I am a Manchester City player. Hope to see you soon.”
The long time Manchester United target also added this on City’s official website:
“I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City.”
“When I learned of City’s interest my heart was set on coming here and things have moved very quickly.”
“I have loved my time with Borussia Dortmund and I would like to thank the club and the supporters for the five very happy years I spent there.”
“They gave me a platform to play on and I became a better player because of the belief, patience and trust they showed in me.”
“Now I have a new challenge and that is to achieve great things with City. The opportunity to work with a coach like Pep Guardiola is something I am really looking forward to and I am flattered to be the first signing the club has made this summer.
“I can promise the City fans I will give everything to help us win titles both in England and the Champions League. These are exciting times.”
“I have my best years ahead of me and I think we can achieve great things together. I can’t wait to begin this new chapter in my career.”
.@Guendogan8 signs for City! #WelcomeIlkay #mcfc https://t.co/a5Nkykajbl
— Manchester City (@ManCity) June 2, 2016
Txiki Begiristain, MCFC Football Director said this of Ilkay Gundogan: “Ilkay is an excellent addition to our team and we are delighted to have him on board.”
“He is an intelligent and versatile midfielder who can operate in a number of different roles. I think our supporters will enjoy his work ethic and technical ability and I believe he will be a very important player for us in the coming years.”
Paul M. Banks runs The Sports Bank.net, partnered with FOX Sports Engage Network. and News Now. Banks, a former writer for the Washington Times, currently contributes regularly to the Chicago Tribune’s RedEye edition.
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