Gomez quits Besiktas after Turkey coup

AFP, ISTANBUL: German striker Mario Gomez, the top scorer in Turkey’s Super Lig last season, on Wednesday said he was leaving Istanbul club Besiktas after just one year due to the political situation in the wake of the failed coup.
“I have to tell you Besiktas fans personally that it is very heavy for me that I will not be playing for this great club in front of you wonderful fans in this unique stadium anymore,” he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
“It is purely down to the terrible events that happened in the last few days. I hope you can understand that.”
Gomez is so far the first big football name to quit Turkey after the coup, which resulted in terrifying scenes in Istanbul and Ankara.
Several top European stars play in Istanbul, such as the Netherlands’ Robin van Persie with Fenerbahce and Germany’s Lukas Podolski at Galatasaray.
Gomez, who was on a one-season loan from Fiorentina but had been widely expected to stay on in a full transfer, helped Besiktas last season surge to their first Turkish title since 2009.

Gomez quits Besiktas after Turkey coup

AFP, ISTANBUL: German striker Mario Gomez, the top scorer in Turkeys Super Lig last season, on Wednesday said he was leaving Istanbul club Besiktas after just one year due to the political situation in the wake of the failed coup. I have to tell you Besiktas fans personally that it is very heavy for me that I will not be playing for this great club in front of you wonderful fans in this unique stadium anymore, he said in a statement on his Facebook page. It is purely down to the terrible events that happened in the last few days. I hope you can understand that. Gomez is so far the first big football name to quit Turkey after the coup, which resulted in terrifying scenes in Istanbul and Ankara. Several top European stars play in Istanbul, such as the Netherlands Robin van Persie with Fenerbahce and Germanys Lukas Podolski at Galatasaray. Gomez, who was on a one-season loan from Fiorentina but had been widely expected to stay on in a full transfer, helped Besiktas last season surge to their first Turkish title since 2009.