Who is İlkay Gündoğan? Bio, Age, Height, Family, Career and More
İlkay Gündoğan is a German professional footballer of Turkish descent who has established himself as one of the finest midfielders of his generation through his technical ability leadership and success at the highest level of European football. He was born on October 24, 1990 in Gelsenkirchen, Germany. He is 35 years old and his zodiac sign is Scorpio.
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The German professional footballer İlkay Gündoğan established a career within European football leagues, international tournaments, and club administrations. Born on October 24, 1990, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, to Turkish parents, he developed his football foundation within regional youth academies before transitioning into senior professional club structures across Germany, England, Spain, and Türkiye.
German League Development and Borussia Dortmund
İlkay Gündoğan spent his formative development years at Hessler 06, Schalke 04, SSV Buer, and VfL Bochum, making his senior professional debut with 1. FC Nürnberg in 2009. His performances earned him a transfer to Borussia Dortmund in May 2011. During his five seasons at the club, his versatility contributed to a domestic double including the Bundesliga title and the DFB-Pokal in 2012, alongside an appearance in the 2013 UEFA Champions League Final.
Premier League and Barcelona Tenure
In June 2016, İlkay Gündoğan completed a transfer to Manchester City FC. Over a seven-season residency, he registered 14 major trophies, including five Premier League titles. His tenure culminated in the 2022–23 season where, functioning as team captain, he led the club to a continental treble by securing the Premier League, FA Cup, and the UEFA Champions League title. Following this cycle, he transferred to La Liga club FC Barcelona before completing a return spell with Manchester City for the 2024–25 season.
Turkish Süper Lig Transition and International Retirement
In September 2025, İlkay Gündoğan signed a two-year contract with Turkish Süper Lig club Galatasaray SK, incorporating his experience into the club’s domestic and UEFA Champions League campaigns. His international career features representing the Germany National Football Team, accumulating 82 senior caps and registering 19 goals. His international career included captaining Germany during the UEFA Euro 2024 tournament, which served as his final competitive international milestone prior to his official retirement from national team duties in August 2024.
Physical Profile and Personal Lifestyle
İlkay Gündoğan stands at a height of 1.80 meters (5 feet 11 inches) and has a weight of 80 kilograms (176 lbs). Regarding his marital status, he is married. He married television presenter and ModelSara Arfaoui in May 2022, and the couple shares one son, Kais. His financial profile is sustained by professional sports contracts, international licensing agreements, image rights, and commercial brand ambassadorship arrangements.
İlkay Gündoğan – Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Check out our 1990 born celebrities page to discover İlkay Gündoğan and other notable people born in the same year.
