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The Guardian - UK
The Guardian - UK
Sport
Will Unwin

Ilkay Gündogan departs Manchester City with legend status secured

Ilkay Gündogan of Manchester City celebrates after his team's victory in the Champions League final.
Ilkay Gündogan will forever be loved by City fans after the treble triumph, which included two goals against Manchester United in the FA Cup final. Photograph: Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Ilkay Gündogan arrived at Manchester City injured and his first season ended before Christmas because of a torn cruciate ligament. It was an inauspicious start for the German but he leaves seven years later as the key component in a historic treble-winning side.

Pep Guardiola knew the value of the midfielder and made him his first City signing in the summer of 2016 for a measly £20m from Borussia Dortmund. Even though he has joined Barcelona for nothing, City know they got a bargain, and Gündogan will forever be grateful for the five Premier League titles, two FA Cups, four League Cups and, most importantly, the final chapter: a Champions League triumph.

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