Manchester City have announced the signing of Borussia Dortmund midfielder Ilkay Gundogan on a four-year deal.

Gundogan was ruled out of Euro 2016 with Germany due to a knee injury but incoming manager Pep Guardiola has identified him as a key component of the team he will build at City next season.

The 25-year-old, who won the Bundesliga and German Cup with Dortmund in 2012 and reached the final of the Champions League in 2013, has signed a four-year contract with the club.

City have reportedly paid around £20 million for a player who has struggled with persistent fitness problems in recent seasons. He missed the 2014 World Cup with a back problem and in May disclocated his kneecap, ruling him out of the Euros in France.

“I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City,” said Gundogan. “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. They gave me a platform to play on and I became a better player because of the belief, patience and trust they showed in me."

“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 has 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.”

 

'The reason for my transfer is Guardiola'

In a separate statement the player tweeted out, Gundogan revealed that he could not pass up the chance of playing for Guardiola, who "convinced me with his philosophy".

'An intelligent and versatile midfielder'

City's director of football Txiki Begiristain hailed the signing of a man who can play in a number of midfield roles: in the deep, shuttling forward or even as a No. 10.

  " Ilkay is an excellent addition to our team and we are delighted to have him on board. He is an intelligent and versatile midfielder who can operate in a number of different roles. I think our supporters will enjoy his work ethic and technical ability and I believe he will be a very important player for us in the coming years."

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