Ilkay Gundogan has admitted that he is "surprised" to still be at Manchester City, as he approaches his sixth season with the club.
The 30-year-old signed from Borussia Dortmund in June 2016 and has since become a first-team regular under manager Pep Guardiola.
With the plethora of talented players at the Spaniard's disposal, Gundogan has stated that he did not expect to still be with City at this stage of his career.
"I remember myself joining the club a few years ago, being on crutches after surgery that I had on my knee," the German midfielder told the Manchester Evening News.
"That is five years in the past and now, five years later, I am still here. I am maybe a bit surprised that I am still here, but I feel very comfortable and very happy to be a part of this club and to be able to live in this city.
"The happiness is still the same, the excitement about everything is still the same, it just feels like the Premier League gets tougher and harder, more intense."
Gundogan enjoyed his best season in front of goal during the 2020-21 campaign, scoring 17 times in 46 appearances across all competitions.
Oliver Thomas
