FORMER Liverpool star Martin Skrtel has had his contract TERMINATED by Istanbul Basaksehir.
The 36-year-old centre-back ruptured his Achilles in the 2-2 draw against Kasimpasa, Istanbul’s last league match of 2020.
Martin Skrtel grabs out in pain after rupturing his Achilles playing for Istanbul BasaksehirCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Skrtel has had his contract terminated in Turkey after suffering the season-ending blowCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Skrtel spent eight-and-a-half years playing in front of the KopCredit: AFP – Getty
The season-ending blow has curtailed Skrtel’s stint at the Turkish club after they agreed to part ways by mutual consent..
But despite his age, Skrtel insists he will carry on playing and moved to quickly shut down any talk of retirement.
In response to media speculation he would now hang up his boots, Skrtel wrote on his Instagram story: “No f****** way.”
He joined Istanbul after having his contract ripped up at Serie A side Atalanta after just three weeks in 2019.
The Slovakian hardman had made ten appearances in the Super Lig this term and also featured in the Champions League five times.
Skrtel started both games against Manchester United – including the 2-1 victory in Turkey which ultimately helped dump Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side into the Europa League.
He also played against PSG in a match that was completed a day later than scheduled after players walked off the field first time round – following an allegation of racism involving the Romanian fourth official.
He spent eight-and-a-half years at Anfield, making 242 Premier League appearances for the Reds.
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Former Anfield favourite Skrtel challenges Manchester United’s Luke ShawCredit: EPA
He was signed from Zenit St-Petersburg for £6.5million in January 2008 and made 320 appearances in total.
In July 2016, Skrtel moved to Istanbul’s rivals Fenerbahce for £5.4m where he spent three years.
Istanbul have wasted no time in signing a replacement after agreeing an 18-month loan deal with AC Milan for Leo Duarte with an option to buy the player in 2022.
Ex-Liverpool star Skrtel’s Atalanta contract cancelled after just three weeks
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
