“There was a little bit of thinking behind it” - Gundogan refers to trophy concern for choosing new shirt number
Manchester City midfielder Ilkay Gundogan explained why he took up the number 19 shirt upon his return to the club. He made the comments after officially being unveiled as a new City player.
The former Germany international returns to the Etihad for a second stint on an initial one-year deal with an option to extend by a further. Gundogan previously spent seven successful seasons with the Citizens before leaving the club last summer to join Spanish giants FC Barcelona.
Upon his return, the 33-year-old midfielder opted to take the number 19 shirt, which was vacated by Julian Alvarez, who secured a club-record €95 million transfer to Atletico Madrid.
Gundogan, who previously wore the number eight shirt, which is currently sported by Mateo Kovacic, has revealed that his reason for taking up the number 19 was because of his eagerness to win trophies. He told the club's official website:
"There was a little bit of thinking behind it. Obviously number 21 and 22 were free as well and I was last year 22 in in Barcelona and I was 21 in the German national team, but I didn’t win any trophies with these numbers.
"So, I thought ok and number 19 is between 18 and 20 between my two friends Bernardo Silva and Stefan Ortega. So that might be a sign, you know, and I just went for it. So let’s see."
He concluded:
"It’s hopefully not the number that will have a big influence it will be the way I am playing the like the way I’m behaving and the way we will be as a team, and I can assure you that we will try our best to win a lot.”
"All of us wanted him here" - Manchester City manager reacts to the signing of IIkay Gundogan
Manchester City manager Pep Guardiola was happy to have Gundogan back at the club. The Spanish tactician said (via Fabrizio Romano):
"Gündogan was a total surprise, unexpected… we didn’t have any doubts when the opportunity was presented to sign Ilkay! All of us wanted him here again, me personally of course but all of us.”
He added:
"You know when you say: anything can happen? That’s the case!”
Gündogan could feature for Manchester City when they welcome newly promoted side Ipswich Town to the Etihad on Saturday, August 24.