Ilkay Gundogan scouting report: All you need to know about new Manchester City star as Pep Guardiola kicks off new reign with £21m capture of Germany international

Ilkay Gundogan has become the first signing of Pep Guardiola era at Manchester City after joining the club from Borussia Dortmund in a £21million deal.

The Germany international, who will miss Euro 2016 with a disclocated knee cap, has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and was regarded as one of the best midfielders in the Bundesliga. 

Here, Sportsmail gives you the lowdown on the City new boy.

Ilkay Gundogan gives the thumbs up after completing a £21million switch to Manchester City on Thursday

Joining from Borussia Dortmund, Gundogan is the first signing of the Pep Guardiola era at the Etihad

Wasn't he big a few years ago?

Absolutely. After signing for Dortmund from Nuremburg in 2011, he struggled at first, but learned quickly to become a key part of Jurgen Klopp's young, exciting team.

Alongside Mario Gotze, Shinji Kagawa and Sven Bender, and behind Robert Lewandowski, Gundogan was part of a midfield that produced some of Klopp's famous 'rock and roll football', winning the double in his first year.

The next season was even better for the Germany star, as he completed the transformation from unheralded Bundesliga player to global star by scoring in the Champions League final. 

By that stage plenty of richer clubs were looking to snap up the talented midfielder, including several Premier League sides. 

The German star started slowly at Dortmund but under Jurgen Klopp grew into a superb midfielder

The midfielder helped Borussia Dortmund to the Champions League final in 2013 and scored on the big day

What happened?

Just when he looked set to become one of the top midfielders in the world, injury struck - as it did to several of Klopp's leading stars.

Gundogan barely played in the 2013-14 season, starting just one Bundesliga game, as a back problem kept him out for more than 12 months.

He did come back last season but it took him some time to rediscover his old swagger. 

Gundogan was rated as one of the best young midfielders in the world as part of Klopp's exciting side

So he's back to his best now?

Well Guardiola seems to think so, and you'd think he would know, as Gundogan was leading Dortmund in the attempt to hunt down Pep's Bayern Munich team at the top of the Bundesliga.

His passing stats were comparable with Xabi Alonso this season, which is pretty exceptional, while his performance against Bayern was, at times, mesmerising.

However, Gundogan will have to wait to add to his 16 Germany caps this summer with an injured knee ruling him out of Euro 2016.

Gundogan's midfield performance against eventual champions Bayern Munich in March was mesmerising

The midfielder will have to wait to add to his 16 Germany caps with injury ruling him out of Euro 2016

Although he developed under Jurgen Klopp, Gundogan has kicked on since Thomas Tuchel (above) took over

What kind of role does he play?

While he can operate from a deep-lying role, Gundogan is a complete midfielder who looks at his best when he's getting forward to join in with attacks as well.

As impressive as his passing stats and chance creation is, his incredible work-rate, especially when Dortmund are out of possession - something he learned under Klopp and has continued to improve since Thomas Tuchel took over.

Four goals and six assists in all competitions this season show that he can certainly play a creative role, whether that is alongside or in place of Yaya Toure at City. 

............................................................................ 

Will he suit the Premier League? 

It's never easy to be sure, but there is no reason why he shouldn't. The man he replaced at Dortmund, Nuri Sahin, flopped horribly when he played for Liverpool, but Gundogan is quicker and stronger than his predecessor.

Playing under Guardiola, a manager who surely will look to combine pressing and possession at City, he should be in his element.  

There is no guarantee that he will suit the Premier League but he has all the attributes to be a success