Ilkay Gundogan is back! Man City re-sign midfielder from Barcelona on free transfer after just one season away

The Germany international left City at the end of the 2022-23 season, opting to join Barcelona instead of extending his stay with the Premier League champions. However, Pep Guardiola's team have snapped him up again on a free transfer, committing him to a one-year contract.

Despite playing an important role for the Catalan club last season, Gundogan was told he was not guaranteed a regular starting spot under new coach Hansi Flick and was made available for a transfer. There were reports of interest from Saudi Arabia, but he opted to rejoin his former team-mates in England.

"I’m incredibly happy, happy to see my teammates, the staff, people that I had seven years with and an amazing time with," Gundogan said as his return to City was announced. "Many ups and a few downs but an incredible experience. When you leave this place, you spend a year away and you then start to appreciate the place even more. You realise what you had, how amazing the time was and how big the Club is. The best Club in the world and I think in terms of football – getting back onto that level and coming back a year later is an incredible feeling. I am very pleased, very happy and I feel privileged to share the dressing room again with these amazing players."

Gundogan spent seven years with City after joining from Borussia Dortmund and went on to make over 300 appearances. He won five Premier League titles, four League Cups, two FA Cup crowns and the Champions League before he left for Barcelona.

The defending league champions started the new season with a 2-0 win against Chelsea last week and will aim to make it two straight victories when they come up against newly-promoted Ipswich on Saturday.