According to Tasnim news agency, Ilgay Gundogan, who recently ended his seven-year stay at Manchester City and joined Barcelona as a free agent by signing a two-year contract with the possibility of extension for a third year, said today (Monday) at his presentation ceremony: I am proud to be here I am amazing in this club. Since I was a child, I followed the Barcelona team, Rijkaard’s Barcelona and Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona. I thank all the members of the club and I look forward to playing for Barça. Long live Barça.
He added: I want to continue winning trophies and that’s why I’m here in Barcelona. Last season was an amazing season for Barca and this season I will do my best to make it even better. I thank Xavi because right after the first contact with him, I felt that Barca was the right step to continue my career.
The German midfielder of Barcelona continued his speech as follows: Today is a day full of happiness for me and my family. We have been watching Barça games for two decades. Since childhood, my dream was to play for this team. A few years ago, I was close to joining Barcelona, but it didn’t happen. But today it happened and I am happy about it.
Gundogan, 32, added: “After the Poland-Germany game, Lewandowski spoke to me about Barcelona and when he started talking about FC Barcelona, the lifestyle and other things about the city of Barcelona, his eyes started to light up. I could see how much he likes to be a member of this club.
He continued: I informed Pep Guardiola over the phone about the decision to leave Manchester City and thanked him for what he has done for me in the past seven years. Pep was upset by my decision, but maybe he was happy for me to join Barcelona because I wanted to join his favorite club. Pep is still a fan of Barcelona and watches all the games of this team.
The new acquisition of the Catalans stated in another part of his speech: Xavi first explained his way of thinking to me and his ideas were almost similar to what we played in Man City under Pep. I saw a part of my personality in him when I talked to Xavi.
Ilkay Gundogan emphasized: “There are many amazing players here and what they have shown has been fantastic, including Gavi, Pedri or Frankie Diong.” If I can help the young players of the team even one percent, I will be happy to do so. My role model was Ronaldinho, although the characteristics of our game are different. Of course, Xavi, Iniesta and Busquets were also my other role models.
In the end, he said about his former teammate, whose joining Barcelona is discussed: “Bernardo Silva is an amazing player and there is no doubt about it, but he has a contract with Manchester City and I cannot talk about this issue.” Whatever happens in the future, I wish Bernardo and his family the best.