Ilkay Gündogan joins Galatasaray on free transfer from Man City

Ilkay Gündogan has left Manchester City to join Galatasaray on a free transfer, signing a two-year contract with the Turkish side on Tuesday..

Gündogan rejoined City last summer after a year at Barcelona.

He made 54 appearances for Pep Guardiola's team last season, although the former Germany international struggled to have the same impact as he enjoyed his first spell at the Etihad Stadium when he won five Premier League titles and the Champions League in seven years.

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"Manchester City will always hold a special place in my heart," Gündogan said in a statement.

"We have enjoyed so much success in our time together and there have been so many unforgettable moments, not least being captain for the Treble-winning season.

"To win the Premier League and FA Cup trophies meant so much to me but to then be afforded the opportunity of lifting the Champions League trophy for this club for the first time, especially in Istanbul, will live with me forever.

"I have no doubts Manchester City will enjoy much more success in the future and I will certainly be watching on from afar as I continue my career in Türkiye, a country that means ever such a lot to me."

The 34-year-old has not played a single minute of City's first three games of the season and was left out of the squad entirely for the 2-0 home defeat to Tottenham.

Galatasaray had until Sept. 12 to make signings with the transfer window in Turkey remaining beyond the Sept. 1 deadline imposed by the Premier League and Europe's other top leagues.

However, Galatasaray bosses were keen to finalise Gündogan's arrival on Tuesday in order to register him for this season's Champions League. Final squads must be submitted to UEFA by 12 a.m. CET on Tuesday.