Kewell signs for Galatasaray

[Golden_Boy™]

Turkish champions Galatasaray have announced the signing of former Liverpool attacker Harry Kewell on a three-year contract.

Kewell had been available on a free transfer after not being offered a new deal at Anfield following five injury-plagued seasons with the club.

Portsmouth had been linked with a bid to keep the Australian in the Premier League, while Roma had been tipped to sign the 29-year-old.

The former Leeds United star had been coy regarding the rumours of a move to Italian giants Roma when quizzed on his future last month.

However, Kewell has now decided to head for Turkey after Galatasaray confirmed the signing on the club's official website.

The winger played against Galatasaray during his Leeds career when he was sent off in the Uefa Cup semi-final second leg in 2000.

Liverpool also met Galatasaray during the group phase of the UEFA Champions League in 2006/07, although Kewell missed both matches due to injury.

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Nice of him to show respect to Leeds fans!

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

At least Leeds got the very best out of him. I think there must be something in the Mirkeyside Air that makes people become work-shy lazy wankers who spend all their time on the sick claiming benefits. Good riddance to the anitpodean C*nt bubble.

;D

[Golden_Boy™]

I'm sure he'll be glad to know you send him your best wishes there mate

[Goalposts for Jumpers]

I do remember posting that and then things got strange. Very quickly.

[Golden_Boy™]

Now his agent is saying nothing has been signed!

However, the move may not be the formality Galatasaray are claiming as Kewell's agent, Bernie Mandic, claims that no agreement has been reached with the Turkish giants.

"We have not finalised a deal for Harry and it's down to two possibilities," Mandic told FourFourTwo in Australia.

"People will be notified if and when Harry decides on one of the options which may be around noon on Saturday European time.

"We will not make any other comments until then."

[ovechkin8]

Trying to up the fee.

Waste of space & wages.

[Roaster©®™]

Kewell's very typical of the majority of players today. In it for a quick buck (well millions) and two fingers to the supporters and followers of his team who pay a fair proportion of his earnings.

Still the dirty Turks might get a dozen games out of him during his contract!

(Wonder if he's leaving his missus behind....she might get lonely...

[officergroyman]

Kewell the new Turkish "not so" Delight. ;D

[Natty]

hes signing today now lol

[Golden_Boy™]

Harry Kewell has issued an open letter to Leeds United fans in a bid to quell the criticism he has faced following his move to Galatasaray.

The Australia international has angered many supporters of the Elland Road club with his decision to join the Turkish giants.

Two Leeds fans, Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight, were stabbed to death prior to their Uefa Cup semi-final meeting with Galatasaray in Istanbul eight years ago.

Kewell was a Whites player at the time and featured in both legs of the match, receiving a red card for a late challenge in the return fixture in West Yorkshire.

The forward, who was released by Liverpool this summer, insists that he still has strong feelings for Leeds, and that he chose his new number at Galatasaray as a mark of respect for his former club.
Respect

The letter sent to Sky Sports reads: "My love and respect for Leeds United FC and what the club has done for me will never change, no matter what anyone says about me and whatever their motives are. My sense of sorrow and sympathy for the families and friends of Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight will always be with me.

"I chose the No.19 shirt when I signed for Galatasaray as a sign of respect for Leeds because that was the number I got when I first became a regular member of the Leeds United FC starting XI. I felt that it might be a way to demonstrate that I had not forgotten where it all started and I was hoping that in a small way it would help the healing process of the tragedy that occurred on the 5th of April 2000.

"For me, sport should first and foremost be about the love of your game. But equally important is the respect for not only your team-mates but all those who you compete against. For this reason I have always objected to any form of discrimination in any sport and football in particular, as that is the sport that is the most near and dear to me.

"To blame the Galatasaray club for the tragedy in Istanbul is simply wrong and discriminatory. This is a club founded in 1905 that has a proud history of striving for sporting excellence and it should be given the same respect as any other football club.

"I respect everyone's right to have their own opinion on whatever they like, but that does not make their opinion right. No one has to agree with my views or my choices, but I think it's only fair and reasonable to allow me and my family to enjoy the same democratic rights as expected by those that have been attacking me over the last few days."