Galatasaray capture Kewell

4 July 2008 | 09:31 - SBS

Turkish delight... Harry Kewell is bound for Galatasaray (Getty)

Turkish champions Galatasaray have confirmed the signing of Socceroos star and former Liverpool winger Harry Kewell on a three-year deal.

Kewell, 29, was available on a free transfer after not being offered a new contract at Anfield after five injury hit seasons.

Portsmouth had been linked with a bid to sign the winger as well as Italian giants Roma.

The former Leeds United man had been quiet over the rumours linking him with a move to the Eternal City when asked about the issue following last months World Cup qualifying loss to China in Sydney.

However, Kewell has opted for a move to Turkey, with Galatasaray confirming the signing on their website http://www.galatasaray.org/.

The winger played against Galatasaray in the UEFA Cup semi-final in 2000 for Leeds where he was sent off.

Liverpool also faced the Turkish giants in the 2006/2007 group stages of the Champions League, but Kewell missed both games.

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Your Comments

07 Jul 2008 9:38 AEST

Mannyk

From: Brisbane

I reckon goodluck Kewell. Good move. GS is not a huge name like Liverpool...but neither was Leeds really. Just because us Aussie fans are used to watching EPL doesn't mean that EPL teams are what football players should strive for. Apart from the top 4 in EPL, the other teams are just there to finish you off, physically, mentally and career-wise (except maybe for Everton who are consistently performing well with good talent). Roma are wannabe's anyway and so too is Riise (bad omen for Harry).

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06 Jul 2008 23:36 AEST

Ado

From: Sydney

It would have been a great move if Galatasaray and Leeds didnt share such a violent past. Now this move just makes Harry look like a heartless, selfish human being. In my opnion, he should have put morals before himself.

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06 Jul 2008 10:27 AEST

Stevo

From: Melbourne

Gala is a good move for Harry. The wily Turks have Xcellent payers with great ball skills and control. They play a continental way, holding and controlling play with sharp movements forward. I think this will suit Harry better than EPL. It's great that some players can see beyond EPL as a way to play first team football at the highest level.

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06 Jul 2008 0:07 AEST

en buyuk fenerbahce

From: sydney

is are gud transfer but how is galatasaray goin to pay him they dont have any money so will kewell stay at galatasaray for long if ask me i dont think so fenerbahce is the best team in turkey we have plays like roberto carlos alex deivid lugano edu kezman semih senturk volkan demirel i wish kewell luck thats wat he needs luck fenerbahce as allways had big plays in the team and they allways will its not are gud transfer for galatasaray

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05 Jul 2008 11:17 AEST

HASAN

From: sydney

atleast he didnt turn out like aloisi playing in the a-league who ever says the turkish superleague is a crap league know nothing about football and they're the kind of people that think football revolves only around england and spain. Galatasaray smashed Leeds when Kewell was playing with a nearly full-turkish squad. all of you should go do some research before making assumptions. oh yer both petkovic twins, nick carle, and josef skopo all played in the turkish league none of them complained

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05 Jul 2008 0:37 AEST

Carlos

From: Melbourne

how is turkish league a crap league? ive been following turkey in the euro 2008 and they were fantastic.. Turkish league is up there as one of the best leagues in Europe. SPAINS COACH who took spain to WIN the final of euro 2008 is now coaching FENERBAHCE with another big coach leaving in ZICO. With the likes of Deived,Alex,ROberto Carlos, Kezman,Kewell and other big names in this league it is surely one of the most enlighting leagues.i have never seen more pasionate fanatik fans in my life.!

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04 Jul 2008 23:36 AEST

Open minded Anzac Biscuit

From: Melbourne

I think it's a prudent move. Like the legend Hagi, Kewell will fit in very nicely and be able to play a crafty, opportunistic game... in a land where technique and a bit of rough and tumble are appreciated. In fact now that I come to think about it... the Turks tend to play with a bit of an Aussie style to them... open with plenty of forward momentum. Good luck to him.... nice to see that he is open minded about his opportunities.

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04 Jul 2008 22:39 AEST

Jimi

From: Melbourne

If people don't see the difference between Roma and Gala, maybe they could learn a bit about the modern game. Roma play a style similar to Man U, if Totti was playing. The team plays well as a unit, with many less stars than Inter and the others. What Kewell would learn and expand would also be priceless for the Socceroos. His creativity should flourish , just like at Leeds. Remember. The serie A promotes you to use your brain, and not just your physique. No need to run up and down like a yoyo. Read the game and its strategies to advance. Kewell fits right in and always has. He could be Australia's Pirlo or Zidane. Good luck Harry

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04 Jul 2008 22:11 AEST

Galatasaray/ultrAslan

From: sydney

Galatasaray topped the world club ranking to be named "Best Football Club in the World" in January 2001. !!!! BEST FOOTBALL CLUB IN THE WORLD !!!! http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Galatasaray

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04 Jul 2008 22:03 AEST

Galatasaray

From: sydney

listen people. kewell isnt too good for Galatasaray. Galatasaray is too good for kewell ! Galatasaray was one of the best teams in europe until about 5 years ago. i admit in the last 5 years GS havent been performing well in the european stage but you are all under estimating GS. G.saray have beat real madrid,milan,juventus,arsenal,barcelona several times and dont forget in 2006 Galatasaray 3-2 liverpool i think you need to research about them before you talk coz all youz do is talk talk

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