Ilkay Gundogan Signs New Contract with Borussia Dortmund

Borussia Dortmund star Ilkay Gundogan re-signed to stay in Germany, the club announced on Wednesday. While the move would have been shocking earlier in the summer, it appeared as though the midfielder was leaning towards staying as things progressed. 

"[Staying at Dortmund] is clearly an option again,” Gundogan's agent and uncle, Ilhan Gundogan, told Suddeutsche Zeitung (h/t Sky Sports) on June 23. "There are several things in favour of Ilkay finding (a way) back to his old level and doing that in a familiar, comfortable environment."

"Gündogan turned down €12m/year to play for PSG because he doesn't want to play in Ligue 1. Will take €6m for BVB stay," added Bleacher Report's Bundesliga writer Clark Whitney, citing Bild.

BVB previously announced Gundogan's intentions to leave the club on their Twitter account on April 30, while Bleacher Report was the recipient of an English press release, which read:

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Bundesliga side Borussia Dortmund will part company with midfielder Ilkay Gundogan by 30 June 2016 at the latest.

Gundogan has decided not to renew his contract with the eight-time German champions which is due to expire on that date.

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Despite prolonged injury problems across the last two seasons, Gundogan remains one of the world's highest-rated midfielders. He is an intelligent ballplayer who can fulfil a number of roles in the middle.

Following a woeful season in the Bundesliga, it is a major boost for Dortmund to see one of their top stars commit ahead of the new campaign.