The football world got a jolt this Tuesday. Turkish giants Galatasaray announced a huge signing, landing German midfielder Ilkay Gündoğan. He joins the club on a free transfer. This move is a big deal, especially since Gündoğan just left Manchester City.
Gündoğan, who is 34 years old, signed a deal for two seasons. His contract runs until June 30, 2027. Under this agreement, Gündoğan will earn nine million euros in total. That breaks down to four and a half million euros each season.
This move is special for Gündoğan. He was born in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. But he has always been a fan of Galatasaray. It seems like a dream come true for the midfielder to finally play for his favorite team in Istanbul.
His career has been nothing short of impressive. In Germany, he played for Bochum, Nuremberg, and Borussia Dortmund. There, he worked under coach Jürgen Klopp. Later, he moved to England and joined Manchester City, led by Pep Guardiola. With City, he became a serial winner. He collected 14 titles, including the prestigious Champions League in 2023.
During his time at Manchester City, Gündoğan played 358 games. He scored 65 goals for the English club. In the 2023/24 season, Gündoğan wore the Barcelona jersey. However, he returned to Manchester the very next season. He has also been a regular for the German national team, even serving as captain.
Galatasaray is showing serious intent this transfer period. The three-time Turkish champions are adding top talent to their squad. Besides Gündoğan, they have also brought in big names like Victor Osimhen and Leroy Sané. These signings signal Galatasaray’s ambition for upcoming seasons.
