Ilkay Gundogan said helping Barcelona financially made his departure from the club easier to swallow after he sealed a return to Manchester City on Friday.
Gundogan joined Barca last year after enjoying seven trophy-laden campaigns with City, winning 14 pieces of silverware during his time at the Etihad Stadium, including captaining the side to a Premier League, Champions League and FA Cup treble in 2022-23.
The midfielder made 51 appearances in his single season with the Catalan giants – more than any of his team-mates, scoring five goals and adding 14 assists in all competitions.
He also created more than twice as many chances (132) as any other Barcelona player, with Raphinha a distant second by that metric with 53.
Ninety-seven of those chances were created in LaLiga, the most by any Barca midfielder in a single season since Xavi laid on 109 under Pep Guardiola in 2009-10.
However, Barcelona needed to move Gundogan on after sealing a €60million swoop for Spain's Euro 2024 star Dani Olmo, with his salary reportedly preventing them from registering their new arrival.
In a farewell post on X, Gundogan confirmed his departure had partly been necessitated by financial reasons.
"Dear Culers, after just one year it's already time to say goodbye. I came here to face a new, exciting challenge, and I was ready for it," he wrote.
"I have given everything to fight for the team and the club in the best possible way in a difficult season and I was looking forward to helping my team-mates in the new campaign.
"Now I am leaving in a difficult situation, but if my departure can help the club financially, it makes me a bit less sad.
"Nevertheless, it's been a time with incredible experiences and ups and downs – I always wanted to play at Barca, and I am very grateful for a memory and experience that I will remember for my life.
"I wish you the best for the season and for the future. The fans deserve to get this big club back to the world’s best. Visca el Barca!"
Reggae Boyz winger Kaheim Dixon completes move to Charlton Athletic
Jamaica’s Kaheim Dixon officially joined Charlton Athletic on a four-year contract, as he was unveiled by the League One club on Friday.
Dixon is now Nathan Jones' eighth summer signing and will wear the number 13 jersey at the London-based club, much like he did at Clarendon College.
The talented winger, who was instrumental in Clarendon College’s two titles in last season’s ISSA schoolboys’ football competition, scoring 32 goals complemented by 17 assists, continued to make a name for himself with Jamaica Premier League (JPL) club Arnett Gardens before eventually breaking into the senior Reggae Boyz setup.
Dixon, 19, was first identified by Charlton Athletic through their partner, Mount Pleasant Football Academy, after which his move from Arnett Gardens, for an undisclosed fee, was then assisted by Charlton Athletic’s strong ties to the Reggae Boyz, according to a release on the club’s website.
This, as Dixon’s Reggae Boy teammate Karoy Anderson is a current member of the club, while another Reggae Boy, Michael Hector, recently left after his contract expired.
Dixon, who has two goals in eight appearances for the Reggae Boyz, expressed delight at his move.
“I’m very happy to be here. My first opportunity to go professional is to be at the Addicks. It’s been very good to see Karoy [Anderson], another teammate from my country. I can’t wait to start playing with him,” he said.
Charlton Athletic have won both League One games played so far this season against Wigan Athletic and Leyton Orient and sit fourth in the table.
They host Bolton Wanderers on Saturday, where Dixon could possibly make a debut appearance.
Andersen completes Fulham reunion as Palace switch confirmed
Joachim Andersen has returned to Fulham three years after his loan spell with the club, joining from Crystal Palace in a permanent deal.
Andersen, who made 31 appearances for the Cottagers in the 2020-21 campaign, has signed an initial five-year contract for a reported £30million transfer fee.
The Danish international becomes Marco Silva's fifth senior signing of the transfer window ahead of their first home game of the season against Leicester City on Saturday.
Andersen helped Fulham keep nine clean sheets in his previous stint with the club, a total only bettered by the 11 he managed for Palace during the 2021-22 campaign.
The 28-year-old was a standout performer for the Eagles last term, completing the most passes (1713) and winning the most aerial duels (91) for Oliver Glasner's side.
“It’s really nice to be here. Feels a little bit like coming home, so it’s a good feeling," Anderson told Fulham's official website.
“Of course, I know the club, I know how Fulham are playing, I know many players, I know some staff, so I didn’t need anyone to convince me because I knew a lot of things already.
“I had some good talks with the manager. I know the playing style he likes to play, so it was just a decision I needed to make myself, with my wife and family, and see what’s the best for me, and I think this is a good step for my career.”
T&T's Police FC hold Haiti's Real Hope to 1-1 stalemate in Concacaf Caribbean Cup debut
Trinidad and Tobago’s Miscellaneous Police FC opened their Concacaf Caribbean Cup debut campaign with a 1-1 stalemate against Haitian club Real Hope FA at Sabina Park in Kingston, on Thursday.
Angelo Exilus (35th) was on target for Real Hope FA, who are making third appearance in the Caribbean Cup, while Kwesi Allen (87th) secured Police FC a share of the spoils.
With the point, both teams sit behind Jamaican outfit Cavalier FC (three points) in Group A, while the other Jamaican teams, Mount Pleasant FA and Arnett Gardens, who will meet at the same venue on Tuesday, are yet to get off the mark.
After a fairly tentative start, Real Hope gradually gained the ascendancy, as they pushed for the opening goal, which eventually came when Exilus drove home a right-footer from deep inside the 18-yard box.
Police FC came to life soon after and almost pulled level in the 39th, but Kevon Woodley’s header went over the crossbar.
Woodley again went close in the latter stages of the first half, but another firm header was swallowed up by Real Hope’s goalkeeper, Gooly Elien, who was well-positioned to ensure his team remained 1-0 up at the break.
Like they did at the start, Real Hope again showed more purpose early on the resumption, with Exilus again getting on target, but his effort was blocked by Adrian Foncette in goal for Police FC on this occasion. Rapha Intervil pounced on the rebound but his effort was also charged down by Ross Russell Jr.
Real Hope continued their probe to add to their tally and almost did in the 62nd, but Yveto Dort's well-struck effort from just outside the box went just wide of the left upright.
Police FC eventually pulled level when Allen produced a stunning diving effort to head home a service from Elijah Belgrave three minutes from time.
Miscellaneous Police FC’s next assignment will be against Cavalier at Sabina Park next Thursday, while Real Hope’s next assignment will also be against Cavalier FC on September 17 at the same venue.
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