Ilkay Gundogan recreates viral post to announce Man City transfer

Manchester City fans, rejoice. Just one year on from his departure, Champions League-winning captain Ilkay Gundogan has returned to the Etihad Stadium.

The German midfielder joined City as the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era and he won all that there is to win with the Manchester club. He was a fans’ favourite during his first spell and news of his return was met with delight online.

After strong rumours that he would return, the first official confirmation came courtesy of the player himself. Gundogan posted ‘@ManCity announce Gundogan… again!’ on his personal social media account, referencing his first move to City.

Back in 2016 he broke the news of his transfer from Borussia Dortmund in the exact same way, with a playful post on Twitter.

Will Ilkay Gundogan play for Man City this weekend?

City began their hunt for a fifth consecutive Premier League title with a 2-0 win over Chelsea last weekend. On Saturday they host newly-promoted Ipswich Town, in a game that could see Gundogan feature for City for the first time since the 2022/23 Champions League final.

Premier League rules state that players must be registered by 12pm on the last working day before a game, meaning that Manchester City would need to have completed Gundogan’s paperwork by noon on Friday to have him in the squad this weekend.

City confirmed news of the German’s return on Friday morning, suggesting that he will be clear to feature against Ipswich. Guardiola named just one senior midfielder, Matheus Nunes, on the bench for their season opener at Stamford Bridge so Gundogan is expected to make the matchday squad this weekend.