Galatasaray SK unveiled 5 new transfers today, with €5m FC Schalke 04 forward Lincoln set to follow tomorrow and the promise of more recruits to come as the Istanbul club look to build a team capable of challenging Fenerbahce SK after finishing 14 points adrift of the champions last season.
The 1. FC Kaiserslautern and Algeria defender Ismaël Bouzid, SC Rot-Weiss Essen duo Barış Özbek and Serkan Calık, Kayseri Erciyesspor goalkeeper Orkun Usak and defender Servet Cetin from Sivasspor were the players to pen their contracts in front of the press this afternoon.
Bouzid said, "Competition for places is not a bad thing in a squad. There are a lot of good defensive players here and this is something which can push the team towards success."
Turkish international Servet, a former Fenerbahce player, added, "I came to Galatasaray to play. If I can play to my potential, I maybe here for lots of years."
Meanwhile, director of football Adnan Sezgin confirm the club had agreed terms with forward Gökhan Ünal and are confident of pushing through the deal inspite of Kayserispor′s unwillingness to sell.
Antalyaspor left back Volkan Yaman is a certain arrival, though. "We′ll have given them our 3rd-choice goalkeeper Fevzi Elmas in exchange for his transfer which should be completed in the coming days," mentioned Sezgin.
Galatasaray, who have also signed Sweden captain Tobias Linderoth, will enter the UEFA Cup in the 2nd qualifying round.
20 June 2007
Versatile performer Serkan Balcı has left Fenerbahce SK for Super Lig rivals Trabzonspor as they are preparing for UEFA Intertoto Cup action.
The 23 year old, who joined the Turkish champions from Genclerbirliği SK in 2004, signed a 2 year deal with the Black Sea club. "The club was waiting for a title for 23 years [they last won the league in 1984/85]," he said.
"I came here to win another championship with Trabzonspor. I hope we will be successful this year. Thanks to Fenerbahce for everything in the past. Now it will be a new challenge for me."
Like Fenerbahce team mate Mehmet Yozgatlı, who recently joined Beşiktaş JK, Serkan was generally used as a substitute by Zico however will hope to get more 1st team action under Ziya Doğan, who was also his coach at Genclerbirliği. He can play in either defence or midfield.
Trabzonspor have already signed Adnan Gungör from 2nd division Samsunspor and expect to confirm the arrival of Guinean right back Daouda Jabi from Kayseri Erciyesspor tomorrow.
Trabzonspor′s Serbian midfielder Ardijan Djokaj, who was loaned to Ankaraspor AS last season, has agreed terms with German 2nd division club SC Freiburg.
Trabzonspor start their UEFA Intertoto Cup campaign in the 2nd round in July, playing the winners of the 1st round tie between Croatia′s NK Zagreb and Albania′s KS Vllaznia.
Meanwhile, Fenerbahce have given 25 year old goalkeeper Volkan Demirel a new 2 year contract following the departure of Turkey custodian Rustu Recber for Beşiktaş.
