Man City name training pitch after former player in touching gesture despite star quitting Etihad on a free transfer

MANCHESTER CITY have named a training pitch after former player Ilay Gundogan.

The Treble winner ended his seven-year stay at the club in the summer when he left on a free transfer to Barcelona.

Manchester City honoured Ilkay Gundogan with a mosaic

ReutersGundogan became the first City captain to lift the Champions League[/caption]

GettyThe German won 121 trophies during his spell at the club[/caption]

But Gundogan has left a lasting legacy after winning 12 trophies during his time at the club.

He was Pep Guardiola’s first signing and he captained City to an historic Treble.

Now the club has decided to honour the German by naming a training pitch after him.

City chairman Khaldoon Al Mubarak announced the news in a video message, with a mosaic of Gundogan also unveiled.

He thanked the 33-year-old for his contribution to the club, recognising him as the first City captain to lift the Champions League.

Al Mubarak shared his admiration for Gundogan and said the mosaic was a gift to mark his place in the history of the club.

Gundogan won five Premier League titles at the Etihad as well as the FA Cup on two occasions and the Carabao Cup in four consecutive years from 2018-21.

He had to overcome adversity months after joining the club after tearing his ACL in the December of his first season in Manchester.

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Gundogan was sidelined for several months but he played his way back into the team and quickly became a crucial player for Guardiola.

He was appointed captain at the beginning of last season and made 304 appearances for the club, scoring 60 goals.