Ilkay Gundogan has ended his second stint with Man City.
The midfielder moved back to the Etihad Stadium from **Barcelona**in 2024 after a year in Catalonia. He resigned for the Citizens on a one-year deal and also had the possibility of staying an extra year.
A stopgap to support the squad after he had called time on his iconic first spell, Gundogan gave his best to stopping the rot for the four peat champions. He missed only five Premier League matches last campaign, picking up more minutes than would have been expected in the absence of Rodri.
Rejuvenation of the midfield was at the top of the agenda in the summer. Before the middle of June, the board backed **Pep Guardiola**with the acquisitions of Rayan Cherki and Tijjani Reijnders.
In the end, the club were content to part ways with the legend, who is now heading for Galatasaray. As a man of Turkish ancestry, Gundogan gets the chapter he deserves to wind down his career.
‘So many unforgettable moments’
The story with City seemed to be over in 2023, and it definitely does now. But the club will always be a special one for the midfielder, who has expressed his feelings about the Citizens in a statement.
"**Manchester City* will always hold a special place in my heart.”*
His highlight will remain the campaign that closed the curtain on his first stint with Pep Guardiola.
"We have enjoyed so much success in our time together and there have been so many unforgettable moments, not least being captain for the Treble-winning season.”
Gundogan grabbed critical goals in the run-in to the **Premier League**title, scored both goals in the **FA Cup**final against Man United, and lifted the Champions League as captain in his second home.
"To win the Premier League and FA Cup trophies meant so much to me, but to then be afforded the opportunity of lifting the Champions League trophy for this club for the first time, especially in Istanbul, will live with me forever.
Both the club and player have never hit the same heights since, but he wishes the Citizens all the best.
"I have no doubts Manchester City will enjoy much more success in the future and I will certainly be watching on from afar as I continue my career in Turkey, a country that means ever such a lot to me."