After transferring to Galatasaray, İlkay Gündogan released an open letter to bid farewell to Manchester City fans in his own words.
Below is Gündogan’s farewell letter:
Dear Manchester City fans, dear teammates, dear club staff,
I want to say thank you to all of you from the bottom of my heart. Thank you for these incredible years, filled with joy and great success. I believe that in a few years, when we look back, we will more deeply realize the achievements this generation of players has made for this great club. It is time to pass the baton to the new generation and let them create even greater glory!
This step of leaving Manchester is very difficult for me, but I fully understand the club’s desire to embark on a new chapter. On the other hand, I still feel in good form and eager to play as many games as possible—and that is why I have decided to move forward. I have the opportunity to play for another club that competes in the Champions League, and it is not just any Champions League club—it is the team I loved most as a child!
Manchester City has always demonstrated extraordinary professionalism and ambition, and I will never forget what the club has done for me over these years. Even when I was leaving, they still honored the gentleman's agreement between us, allowing me to depart smoothly. Such things are not common in today's football world.
Looking back, most of my time here has been filled with joy, success, and unforgettable memories. The achievements we have made together will be forever etched in my heart, and I will always be proud to have been part of this journey. The club, the fans, and the entire city of Manchester will always hold a special place in my heart. My teammates have become very close friends of mine, and I have also worked alongside the best coach in the world. I cannot put into words how much I have learned from Guardiola—this knowledge may one day help me start a coaching career after retirement. He is an incomparable mentor.
One moment I will never forget is the match against Ipswich Town at the Etihad Stadium after I returned from Barcelona. The welcome the fans gave me gave me goosebumps like I had never felt before; that moment was truly overwhelming. I will definitely continue to follow every Manchester City game as much as possible, and I hope the club can return to the top of the Premier League soon—because that is where this club rightfully belongs. They are more than capable of achieving this goal again.
Wish you all the best and good health. See you soon! At the latest, we will meet in the Champions League in late January! Who knows, maybe after I retire, we will meet again!
Yours,
Ilkay
