Galatasaray confirmed the arrival of Dries Mertens on Monday. The Belgian attacker will earn a million dollar salary in Istanbul and will sign a contract for one season.
The 35-year-old Mertens was available on a free transfer after his departure from Napoli, where he became the all-time top scorer with 148 goals. Galatasaray previously confirmed that it is in negotiations with Mertens and now an agreement has been reached.
At Galatasaray, Mertens receives a signing bonus of 1.1 million euros and a salary of 2.9 million euros, the Turkish club reports in a statement. declaration. The contract also includes an option for an extra year.
Mertens played for the past nine years at Napoli, who unsuccessfully made him an offer to stay at the club longer. Earlier in his career, the 105-time international of Belgium was under contract with KAA Gent, Eendracht Aalst, AGOVV, FC Utrecht and PSV.
Galatasaray strengthened earlier in the day with Lucas Torreira. The Uruguayan midfielder comes over from Arsenal and will compete with Fredrik Midtsjø at the 21-time champion of Turkey, who left AZ this summer after five seasons.
With Mertens and Torreira, Galatasaray hopes to compete again at the top of the Turkish Süper Lig. Last season, the Turkish top club finished disappointingly in thirteenth place. Galatasaray started the new season on Sunday with a 0-1 win over Antalyaspor.