Ilkay Gündogan was born on October 24, 1990, in Gelsenkirchen, Germany, to Turkish parents. His grandfather had emigrated from Turkey to Germany as a guest worker, and the family has since settled in the country. Gündogan showed remarkable talent from an early age. He has two siblings and began playing football at just six years old, joining the youth ranks of VfL Bochum. There, he developed his skills and laid the foundation for his professional career.
Gündogan's potential soon caught the attention of several clubs across Germany. In 2009, he joined FC Nürnberg, where he began to make a name for himself as a central midfielder—a role considered vital in orchestrating both defense and attack. His reliable performances and intelligent playmaking abilities drew interest from top-tier German clubs.
In 2011, Gündogan signed with Borussia Dortmund for a reported fee of approximately €5.5 million. At Dortmund, he thrived under the management of Jürgen Klopp, who is widely regarded as one of the top football coaches in the world. Gündogan quickly adapted to Klopp’s high-intensity playing style and contributed significantly during his time at the club.
One of the highlights of his Dortmund career came in the 2012–13 season when the club reached the UEFA Champions League final. Although they lost 2–1 to Bayern Munich, Gündogan’s performances, including converting a penalty in the final, received widespread praise and increased his visibility across Europe.
In the 2011–12 season, Dortmund achieved a domestic double, winning both the Bundesliga and the DFB-Pokal. The club defeated Bayern Munich 5–2 in the cup final. This period marked the pinnacle of Gündogan's career in Germany before moving on to new challenges.
| Net Worth 2021: | 6 million |
