Guardiola era underway with Gundogan signing

Manchester City have finalised a �21million deal to make midfielder Ilkay Gundogan the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era.

Manchester City have finalised a �21million deal to make midfielder Ilkay Gundogan the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era.

Published Jun 3, 2016

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Manchester City have finalised a £21million deal to make midfielder Ilkay Gundogan the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era.

The 25-year-old Germany international, who will miss Euro 2016 to recover from a dislocated knee, has signed a four-year contract at the Etihad and hopes to be fit by the start of September.

Gundogan said he was thrilled to have joined City and thanked his coaches at Borussia Dortmund — current Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and his successor Thomas Tuchel — for their support.

He told City’s official website: ‘When I learned of City’s interest my heart was set on coming here and things have moved very quickly. I have loved my time with Borussia Dortmund and I would like to thank the club and the supporters for the five very happy years I spent there.

‘Now I have a new challenge and that is to achieve great things with City. The opportunity to work with a coach like Pep Guardiola is something I am really looking forward to and I am flattered to be the first signing the club have made this summer.

‘I can promise the City fans I will give everything to help us win titles both in England and the Champions League. These are exciting times. I have my best years ahead of me and I think we can achieve great things together. I can’t wait to begin this new chapter in my career.’

He added in an open letter to Dortmund fans: ‘Special thanks to my BVB coaches Jurgen Klopp and Thomas Tuchel. I had a great time for them and advanced to a player of the German national team.

‘The reason for my transfer is the great opportunity to join Pep Guardiola and Manchester City. Guardiola asked me to go to Manchester and convinced me with his philosophy. I believe this is the right step for me at the moment. Under his lead I want to keep on improving my skill as a football player.

‘I’m happy that despite my injury I could keep my promise not to leave Dortmund on a free transfer.’

City’s early business in the transfer window is set to continue with a £39m move for Aymeric Laporte of Athletic Bilbao, while they remain in the hunt for Everton defender John Stones and had scouts at Germany’s friendly with Slovakia last Sunday to watch Schalke’s Leroy Sane.

The 20-year-old winger is valued at £40m and is one of the most coveted players in Europe at the moment.

City have agreed to pay the £39million release clause to sign France defender Laporte even though he is out until late August with a broken leg and dislocated ankle.

Athletic have made Laporte an offer of an improved contract but the 22-year-old is keen to join up with Guardiola and his City project.

Laporte has stepped up his recovery in recent weeks and has resumed light training and has been enjoying some golf practice as he improves mobility round his ankle. – Daily Mail

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