Besiktas secures Ciro Immobile’s transfer, star striker arrives in Istanbul
Italian footballer Ciro Immobile greets Besiktas fans as he arrives in Istanbul with the second president of Besiktas Huseyin Yucel (L) and board member Feyyaz Ucar in Istanbul, Türkiye, July 13, 2024. (AA Photo)
Besiktas has confirmed the transfer of Italian striker Ciro Immobile from Lazio. The 34-year-old forward, who arrived in Istanbul last night, has signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club.
This move marks the end of Immobile’s eight-year tenure at Lazio, where he scored 207 goals in 340 matches.
Ciro Immobile receives warm welcome in Istanbul
Immobile, greeted by a large crowd of enthusiastic Besiktas fans at Ataturk Airport, expressed his excitement about the new chapter in his career. “I am very happy to be here. I am ready for the new season. The fans are incredible, and I am very moved,” Immobile stated during his first interaction with the press in Istanbul.
Besiktas Vice President Huseyin Yucel highlighted the challenging negotiations with Lazio. “Lazio resisted a lot, but thanks to the sacrifices made by Ciro Immobile, we were able to finalize the transfer after a 48-hour negotiation period,” Yucel said. He also thanked Besiktas head Hasan Arat for his unwavering support throughout the process.
What does Ciro’s transfer mean for Besiktas?
Feyyaz Ucar, a member of the Besiktas Board of Directors, emphasized the importance of this acquisition. “We have added a world-class star to our squad. This is a great day for Besiktas,” Ucar remarked.
Immobile, who had a successful stint with Lazio, winning the Serie A top scorer title four times, decided to take a pay cut to facilitate the transfer. The deal, reportedly worth $2.18 million to $3.27 million, ensures that Besiktas will benefit from the experience and goal-scoring prowess of the seasoned forward.
Immobile’s triumph over Ronaldo and Messi with Golden Shoe
In the 2019-20 season, Immobile won the coveted Golden Shoe, outscoring football giants such as Cristiano Ronaldo, Robert Lewandowski, and Lionel Messi. Immobile netted 35 goals in Serie A, surpassing Lewandowski’s 34 Bundesliga goals and Ronaldo’s 31 goals for Juventus.
This achievement marks Immobile as one of Europe’s top strikers, highlighting his exceptional goal-scoring abilities at the age of 30. His remarkable performance that season set a high standard and solidified his reputation as a formidable forward in European football.
Ciro Immobile’s first impressions about Besiktas
During his arrival, Immobile wore a shirt featuring an eagle, symbolizing both Lazio and Besiktas, and made a gesture representing the eagle’s talons, further endearing himself to the fans. Following a brief interaction with the supporters, Immobile headed to his hotel, where he will stay before undergoing a medical examination today.
Besiktas’s latest signing aims to strengthen their attacking options ahead of the upcoming season. Fans are eager to see how Immobile’s presence will influence the team’s performance. The official announcement has generated excitement and optimism among the Besiktas community, with hopes high for a successful season.
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