The controversy-plagued Turkish midfielder is currently looking for a new club after leaving Istanbul Basaksehir by mutual consent.
Turkish Super Lig outfit Istanbul Basaksehir have officially cut ties with midfielder Arda Turan, the club announced on Tuesday, January 7.
According to the statement released on their website, the two parties parted ways after Turan requested to leave the club.
“Our footballer Arda Turan met with Basaksehir Chairman Goksel Gumusdag and requested to leave the club to open a new page in his career. Gumusdag responded positively to his request and therefore, Turan’s contract was annulled by a mutual agreement,” the statement read.
Arda joined Basaksehir on a two-and-a-half year loan from FC Barcelona in January 2018, however, he has been a shadow of his former self. Prior to his departure, he made just 9 league appearances for Basaksehir this season, most of which were as a substitute.
Speaking to reports, he said he was grateful for having played for the Super Lig club.
“Everything I have experienced at Basaksehir will have a special place in my memories. I sincerely thank everyone at Basaksehir for everything have done for me. I will continue to do what I love doing — playing football,” he said.
Once Turkey’s darling, his name is associated with controversies in Turkey with the most recent being a two-year prison sentence for assaulting Turkish pop singer Berkay Sahin and firing a firearm in an Istanbul hospital.
Last season, he made headlines for attacking an assistant referee during a Super Lig fixture against Sivasspor on May 8 for which he was fined $9,200 and handed a 16-match ban.
The 32-year-old, who turns 33 at the end of the month, is reported to be in talks with Galatasaray and Besiktas regarding a possible transfer. He has ruled out a return to FC Barcelona, who are open to offers for the player.
