Manchester City have officially announced the signing of German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan from Borussia Dortmund to make him Pep Guardiola’s first major signing.
The 25-year-old has signed a four-year deal with the Premier League giants, and his versatility, creativity and technical ability in the middle of the pitch will undoubtedly be a huge boost for the team.
According to Sky Sports, the deal is worth £21m with Guardiola expected to splash plenty more money out on players in the coming months.
“I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City,” Gundogan told the club’s official website. “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.”
Having proven his class since joining Dortmund in 2011, Gundogan has also gone on to make 16 appearances for the national team as he continues to establish himself as one of the leading midfielders in Europe.
Injury has robbed him of a spot in Joachim Low’s Euro 2016 squad, and they have also arguably held his development back in recent years, but he’ll now be handed a morale boost having sorted his club future out, knowing that he will link up with Guardiola next season.
The Spanish tactician will have ambitious plans for his first season in charge at the Etihad, as he begins the process of moulding the squad into his vision and ensuring that it is one that can play his style of football.
In turn, City supporters will be excited about the arrival of their first big name player this summer, and it is merely a matter of time before more new faces follow Gundogan through the entrance with Guardiola plotting a way to ensure that they are competing for the Premier League title next season.
.@Guendogan8 signs for City! #WelcomeIlkay #mcfc https://t.co/a5Nkykajbl
— Manchester City FC (@MCFC) June 2, 2016