ARDA TURAN has ended his disastrous five-year Barcelona spell after signing for Galatasaray.
The Turkish international has returned home following 11 years away, which saw him make a name for himself at Atletico Madrid in LaLiga.
Arda Turan has left Barcelona and signed for GalatasarayCredit: Getty Images – Getty
But his doomed 2015 transfer to Barcelona turned his career upside down, though he could not hold back the emotions after re-joining his boyhood club on a free.
Turan said: “Emotions are very deep. Now is not the time to comment and talk too much.
“It’s time for me to get on the field and fight. I would like to thank Mr Mustafa Cengiz and members of the board of directors.
“I hope everything will be good: the most beautiful days, successful days again both in Turkey and in Europe.
“I miss the fans very much. I am waiting for the day I will meet with them. I hope to see you as soon as possible.”
Turan signed for Barca five years ago but was unable to make his debut for another six months with the Spaniards still on a transfer ban.
He made sporadic appearances in his first two seasons but in 2018 was loaned out to Istanbul Basaksehir after falling to make a single appearance for Barca that campaign.
But Turan’s return to Turkey was also marred with controversy.
He was handed a 16-match ban in May 2018 after pushing an assistant referee following a dispute over a decision.
Last Autumn he received a suspended two years and eight months prison sentence after being found guilty of intentional injury and possession of an unlicensed weapon.
He was involved in a brawl with pop singer Berkay Sahin in October 2018, breaking his nose, before being accused of brandishing a gun after following him to the hospital.
His loan contract was then terminated in January and Turan has not played since.
Turan had his Istanbul Basaksehir loan terminated in January Credit: Getty – Contributor
Arda Turan involved in brawl as he ‘broke popstar’s nose’ and ‘brandished gun’ in shocking scenes
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
