Beşiktaş JK have continued their busy summer of transfers by signing versatile Senegalese international defender Lamine Diatta from AS Saint-Etienne.
The 32 year old, who can play in central defence or at right back, has joined the Istanbul side on a 3 year contract. Diatta has spent his whole career in France however now follows wingers Rodrigo Tello and Mehmet Yozgatlı, Turkish international goalkeepers Rustu Recber and Hakan Arıkan, and midfielder Edouard Cisse to Beşiktaş.
Diatta, whose previous clubs include Stade Rennais FC and Olympique Lyonnais, said, "I am glad to be here. Beşiktaş are a good team and everyone in Europe everybody knows that."
Coach Ertuğrul Sağlam informed uefa.com, "We will benefit from his experience. Diatta is in good shape and we have the option of using him in different defensive positions."
Beşiktaş travel to Moldova's FC Sheriff next Wednesday in the UEFA Champions League 2nd qualifying round holding a 1-0 lead; if they prevail, Diarra maybe eligible to play against FC Zurich in the 3rd qualifying round.
28 06 2007
Turkish side Beşiktaş JK sign midfielder Edouard Cisse from French side Paris Saint-Germain FC for €2 million as they are preparing for UEFA Champions League qualifying.
The Super Lig runners up have agreed a 2 year contract with the 29 year old Cisse who was with PSG since leaving his hometown club Pau FC in 1997.
He was loaned out to Stade Rennais FC in the 1998/99 season and The Hammers FC in the 2002/03 campaign.
He moved on to AS Monaco FC on a similar arrangement for the following season as they reached the UEFA Champions League final.
He is Beşiktas's 5th signing of the summer following the arrivals of Rodrigo Tello, Hakan Arikan, Rustu Recber and Mehmet Yozgatli.
They will start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the 2nd qualifying round.
