adminIstanbul — Dutch international striker Robin van Persie on Tuesday signed for Fenerbahce from Manchester United on a three year deal, the Istanbul giants announced, in one of the most significant transfers by a Turkish Super Lig side in recent years.
An estimated 18,000 fans clad in the iconic navy blue and yellow stripes of Fenerbahce turned out at its Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul to witness van Persie’s signing ceremony, chanting his name and letting off flares.
The former Feyenoord and Arsenal player will be paid 4.9 million euros ($5.4m/£3.5m) a year on his three-year contract, excluding match bonuses, Fenerbahce said in a statement.
His transfer fee is reportedly 4.7 million euros (£3.4m, $5.2m) although this has yet to be officially disclosed. “I’m now part of the Fenerbahce family,” van Persie told fans in comments barely audible amid the deafening atmosphere in the stadium.
“I promise I’ll do everything in my power to make Fenerbahce win as many trophies as possible to make these fans happy.”
Van Persie said at a news conference later that it was the “passion” of Turkish football that had helped attract him to Istanbul. — AFP.
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