Former Manchester City captain Ilkay Gundogan says joining Barcelona was the fulfillment of a childhood dream.

Gundogan left City for Barca in a Bosman transfer over the summer.

He told BILD: "City waited a long time before intensifying talks over the renewal. In the end it turned out that it was the perfect time to end my stint in England. There couldn't have been a better time. Playing for Barcelona, moreover, is a dream I had as a child.

"We (Xavi and Gundogan) spoke on the phone several times, I had a good feeling. We are very similar in personality.

"We have some similar characteristics in the way we play, maybe that's why he likes me. Xavi was a very intelligent player, he understands the value of the game."