July 16, (THEWILL) – Barcelona’s midfield gained a new addition when Ilkay Gundogan joined the club and the midfielder has been speaking of his decision ahead of his official unveiling on Monday.
The deal was announced just over two weeks after Gundogan’s triumphant UEFA Champions League victory with Manchester City. The 32-year-old German international, who has always been a fan of Barcelona, was excited about joining the team and he talked about his admiration for Barcelona’s past success under managers, Frank Rijkaard and Pep Guardiola: “I’m a Barça fan, I’ve always followed them closely every season, and I am very happy and very proud to be part of this team.”
Gundogan, known for his successful stint at Borussia Dortmund, joins a rejuvenated Barcelona squad that clinched the La Liga title last season. He believes there is immense potential within the team, particularly with its young players, and aims to contribute his experience to help them reach new heights. With confidence in the team’s foundation and potential, Gundogan was eager to see the team prove their capabilities in the upcoming season: “The base is there, the potential is there, so it only remains to prove it this season, that’s why I’ve come, and that’s why I’ll make an effort and put my dedication to be able to enjoy it.”
The strong connection between Gundogan and Barcelona’s head coach, Xavi, played a significant role in the midfielder’s decision to join the club. Gundogan mentioned having multiple conversations with Xavi, indicating a shared footballing philosophy and similar character traits. The German midfielder was open about his admiration for Xavi’s approach to the game, both as a former player and now as a coach.
He revealed: “I think our way of thinking and our characters are similar; I had a great connection with him.”
About the Author
Jude Obafemi is a versatile senior Correspondent at THEWILL Newspapers, excelling in sourcing, researching, and delivering sports news stories for both print and digital publications.
