Galatasaray reach agreement with Manchester City to sign İlkay Gündoğan

Galatasaray have reached full agreement with Manchester City for the permanent transfer of Gündoğan on a free transfer, signing a contract until 2027, according to Sky Sport’s Florian Plettenberg.

Gündoğan signed for Premier League club Manchester City on a four-year contract from Borussia Dortmund, making him the club’s first signing under former Bayern Munich manager Pep Guardiola.

The midfielder leaves behind a legendary legacy at the Etihad, where he played 358 matches, scored 65 goals, and registered 47 assists.

Over eight seasons, he collected 14 trophies, including the 2023 UEFA Champions League and five Premier League titles, cementing his place as one of Guardiola’s most trusted players.

He earned a place in the PFA Team of the Year and finished runner-up for the Players’ Player of the Year award after City’s treble-winning season in 2023.

The German also spent a brief season with Barcelona in 2023/24, right after lifting the Champions League.

He then returned to City at Guardiola’s request, but he found himself fighting for minutes behind Rodri, Kevin De Bruyne and Bernardo Silva.

Despite making 54 appearances last season, scoring five goals and providing eight assists, he has seen limited action in the early stages of the 2025/26 campaign.

This move is considered a major coup for Galatasaray, bringing a highly experienced and world-class player to the Turkish league to bolster their squad for domestic and European competitions.

The Turkish giants, who have not advanced beyond the Champions League group stage since 2014, now boast one of the most star-studded squads in club history.

Gündoğan joins a list of summer arrivals headlined by Nigerian striker Victor Osimhen from Napoli, German winger Leroy Sane from Bayern Munich, Ivorian defender Wilfried Singo from Monaco and Turkish goalkeeper Uğurcan Çakır from Trabzonspor.

He has earned 82 caps for Germany, scoring 19 goals.

The 34-year-old featured in two World Cups and three European Championships, captaining the side at Euro 2024.

He could make his debut in the Süper Lig’s fixture against Eyüpspor after the international break.