Ilkay Gundogan arrives City from Borussia Dortmund on a £20m deal

Manchester City have announced the signing of Germany international midfielder Ilkay Gundogan in a reported £20m transfer from Borussia Dortmund.

The 25-year-old, who will miss Euro 2016 and the start of the new Premier League season through injury, and will not be back for City’s preseason tour to China, which includes a game against Dortmund, becomes the first signing for incoming City manager Pep Guardiola.

However, it is hoped the deep-lying playmaker could be back in action by September.

Gundogan dislocated his kneecap in training at the start of May and was also sidelined for the 2014 World Cup with a back problem that ruled him out for almost the entire 2013-14 season.

“When I learned of City’s interest my heart was set on coming. Things things have moved very quickly,” he said.

“I’m thrilled to have signed for Manchester City,” Gundogan said on City’s official website. “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 Premier League club’s director of football Txiki Begiristain has praised Gundogan’s “work ethic and technical ability”.

“He is an intelligent and versatile midfielder who can operate in a number of different roles,” Begiristain added. “He will be a very important player for us in the coming years.”

Gundogan won the Bundesliga and cup Double at Dortmund in 2012 and helped his side to the Champions League final the following season, which they lost 2-1 to domestic rivals Bayern Munich at Wembley.