10 players Manchester City have re-signed as Ilkay Gundogan joins exclusive group

Ilkay Gundogan is set to join a select group of players to have enjoyed two spells at Manchester City, but who else have the Blues re-signed in their history?

The 33-year-old is set to sign an initial one-year contract with Manchester City, returning to the Etihad Stadium on a free transfer from FC Barcelona, where the German midfielder made 51 appearances during the 2023/24 campaign.

Gundogan bid farewell from the Sky Blues at the end of 2022/23 season, but is set to return for the 2024/25 campaign after a dramatic transfer twist, after Barcelona sanctioned an exit for the midfielder.

The midfielder, who retired from international football this month, has made 304 previous appearances for Pep Guardiola’s side, scoring 60 goals and lifting 14 trophies, including five Premier League titles, two FA Cups and the UEFA Champions League.

Ilkay Gundogan captained the Manchester City side to a landmark treble in 2023, with his last appearance coming in the Turkish city of Istanbul in the UEFA Champions League final against Inter Milan.

The 33-year-old could mark his return for the Sky Blues at the Etihad Stadium, when Manchester City face newly-promoted Ipswich Town on Saturday afternoon in the Premier League.

Should Gundogan feature this weekend, then the midfielder would join a select group, with only a handful of players to have enjoyed two spells with Manchester City across the course of the club’s history!

Angelino

The Spaniard enjoyed two spells at the Etihad Stadium, joining Manchester City in 2012 and re-signing in 2019, after Manchester City triggered a buy-back clause within his PSV Eindhoven contract.

Shaun Wright-Phillips

The 42-year-old has played for Manchester City at both Maine Road and the City of Manchester Stadium, having initially made his debut as a teenager against Burnley in August 1999. The forward returned to the Blues in 2008, making 275 appearances across two spells.

Paul Dickov

The legend, whose famous goal against Gillingham in 1999 has inspired Manchester City’s away kit this season, made 200 appearances across two spells between 1996 and 2007.

Ian Bishop

Bishop initially joined Manchester City in 1989 and returned to the club in 1998, helping the club to promotion against Gillingham in the play-off final at Wembley Stadium in 1999, featuring as a substitute in the second-half.

Denis Law

Law enjoyed two spells with the Blues, making his debut against Leeds United in 1960 and returning in 1973.

Peter Barnes

Barnes, who won the League Cup with Manchester City during the 1975/76 season, returned to the club for a second spell in January 1997.

Kenny Clements

Clements made 281 appearances for Manchester City across two spells between 1975 and 1998. He featured across the old Division One and Division Two, as well the UEFA Cup.

Ray Ranson

Similarly to Gundogan, Ranson enjoyed an initial seven-year stay at Manchester City before returning for one season, making 18 appearances in 1993.

Asa Hartford

Hartford made 321 appearances over two spells for Manchester City. He made his debut in August 1974 against West Ham United and returned to the club in 1981 for a further three seasons.

Dennis Tueart

Tueart scored 110 goals in 275 appearances during two spells for Manchester City, and was also a director at the club between 1997 and 2007.