LONDON: Pep Guardiola was sad to see lkay Gundogan leave Manchester City 15 month ago. He understood the attraction to Germany’s captain of a new challenge, of Barcelona and of LaLiga. Gundogan had been Guardiola’s first signing from Borussia Dortmund in 2016 for £20m and had won 12 major trophies in his seven years.

Now City’s manager has filled a gap in the wages bill after the departure of Julian Alvarez and a gap in his squad by re-signing Gundogan who, by happy coincidence, tore up his Barcelona contract to fly back to the Premier League.

City are attacking a heavy programme of five major competitions: Premier League, FA Cup and League Cup domestically plus Champions League and then the expanded FIFA Club World Cup. Kevin de Bruyne remains their playmaker supreme but is increasingly fragile. Gundogan will be perfect support and the transfer costs City nothing.

Gundogan has agreed an initial one-year deal with the option of a further 12 months.

He wrote on Instagram: “My seven years at Manchester City were a time of pure contentment for me, both on and off the pitch. Everyone knows the respect I have for Pep – he is the best manager in the world and working with him every day makes you a better player. Honestly, I cannot wait to wear the City shirt again.

“I am leaving Barcelona in a difficult situation but, if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.”

Gundgan, capped 82 times for Germany, announced his international retirement after the Euro quarter-finals exit to Spain.

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