Ilkay Gundogan to Manchester City

German midfielder Ilkay Gundogan became Pep Guardiola's first signing at Manchester City on Thursday, inking a four-year deal with the Premier League club and bringing an end to his tenure with Borussia Dortmund in the process.

City announced the transfer on the club website and released the following clip of their new signing addressing the supporters:

"The opportunity to work with a coach like Pep Guardiola is something I am really looking forward to and I am flattered to be the first signing the Club has made this summer," the new signing told the club's official website. “I can promise the City fans I will give everything to help us win titles both in England and the Champions League. These are exciting times."
Gundogan struggled to overcome a back injury in 2013-14 and only flashed limited top form in 2014-15, but that didn't stop him from becoming a popular transfer target. His overall success with Dortmund, paired with the fact he's still just 25, ensured his value remained high.
He enjoyed a solid 2015-16 Bundesliga campaign for BVB, registering one goal and three assists in 25 appearances. His 87.8 per cent pass-completion rate ranked 14th in the league, according to WhoScored.com. As these numbers illustrate, Gundogan loves to commit opposition defenders:

A dislocated knee cap will keep him out of UEFA Euro 2016 with Germany, though, a factor that many will suggest makes this deal a gamble for City.
Still, he's a central midfielder with terrific passing ability, great vision and a creative eye. Gundogan emerged as one of the most promising young playmakers in Europe early in his career, and those expectations will follow him to the Etihad Stadium now the club and player have reached an agreement.
He had previously signed a contract extension with BVB in 2015, which was set to last through 2017, but that clearly didn't stop the transfer talk.
Gundogan admitted in January his future was still up in the air, telling German outlet Bild (via Jack Wilkinson of Sky Sports):

No decision has been taken yet and of course everything has to be thought through because the length of one's career is limited.
To be honest everything is still open. I think it will go into that direction. When I sign, it will most likely not be for just a year.

Those remarks came amid another up-and-down season. There were flashes of the top-end player he's been expected to become, but consistency remained an issue. That's never a surprise for a player trying to find a rhythm after injury woes.
Although it's probably difficult for Dortmund to see him go, it's not a surprise the move was made, as the transfer makes sense for both parties. Making a deal while his value remained high was key for Dortmund, while the player could benefit from a new challenge.
Indeed, for Gundogan, the change of scenery gives him a chance to build on the foundations he forged with Dortmund to reach an elite level. He was well on his way to becoming one of his generation's best midfielders before injuries halted his progress.

Staying healthy is always important, especially for young players during their development. Working back into top form while also building chemistry with new team-mates is easier said than done too. It's a challenge that's going to test Gundogan both mentally and physically.
His arrival at the Etihad Stadium will come with a heavy burden. When fit, he'll likely assume a deep-lying playmaker role, providing the link between the back line and the forwards while freeing up attacking midfielders Kevin De Bruyne and Raheem Sterling.

There will be an onus on him to push on too. Gundogan's best years came under former manager Jurgen Klopp when he was handed a licence to carry the ball from deep and pick incisive passes in the final third. If this latest injury hasn't robbed him of his dynamism, he'll be hopeful of fulfilling that kind of role again upon return.
Based on Gundogan's past success with Dortmund, he will make a positive impact as long as he avoids further injury issues. His talent is undeniable, and that's why top clubs continued to show interest.
Now he's found a new home, he must prove all of the prior hype is warranted.