Ilkay Gundogan has made a significant donation to help support the people of Heinsberg after the German district was hit badly by the coronavirus.

The Manchester City midfielder is fronting an initiative to provide a shopping service for those in need, while also gifting care packages for nursing staff helping to contain the virus.

Alongside the 29-year-old, the Football Association of the Middle Rhine (FVM), Heinsberg County, the amateur club SVG Birgden-Langbroich-Schierwaldenrath and a supermarket in Birgden will collaborate to reduce the strain on the community.

“In Manchester, I followed the news of the situation in Germany closely. I was struck with the pictures from the particularly badly affected district of Heinsberg,” Gundogan explained.

“That is why I wanted to start a relief action exactly where the need is greatest.

“Thank you to the football club SVG Birgden-Langbroich-Schierwaldenrath which are supporting me with all the deliveries and can hand them over on my behalf.

“We footballers – whether amateur or professional – must show this solidarity and together support those people who urgently need our help.”