A banner that read: “Welcome to hell” framed one of the first interactions between the new Premier League and the Turkish Super Lig.
However, in the nearly three decades since Manchester United were knocked out of the European Cup by Galatasaray, there has been a constant flow of personnel filtering from one division to another without the need to consult Hades.
With Arsenal’s Mesut Ozil set to join those ranks, here’s a look at the fortunes that have plagued some of the Premier League’s notable departures.
Barely five months after starting a two-year deal with Antalyaspor, the former Manchester City midfielder parted ways with the Turkish squad in January 2018.
Nasri has scored twice in his eight appearances, but was subsequently banned from the sport for 18 months for doping violation.
Sturridge made at least six months to a three-year deal before mutually terminating his contract with Trabzonspor in March 2020.
The former Liverpool striker then received a ban on the game.
First of all a big thank you to the chairman, director and director for bringing me here at kayserispor ?? and also @BaseSoccer @ me10_football for making this possible. Can’t wait for the season to start now # 25 pic.twitter.com/YNhWfjI73M
– Aaron Lennon (@ AaronLennon12) September 11, 2020
13, unlucky for some. But not Aaron Lennon.
13 appearances in his Kayserispor career, Lennon ultimately won his first game for the club. It’s still early days for the former Tottenham and Burnley winger, but so far Lennon has as many red cards as he has assists.
As one of the most expensive Premier League arrivals in Turkey, Meireles’ involvement waned as his time in Istanbul extended.
The former Liverpool and Chelsea midfielder later admitted that he had lost his “passion and enthusiasm” for the sport in his last two seasons.
Van Persie may have managed to make some noise a few weeks after moving to Fenerbahce in 2015, but the Dutch forward has enjoyed a goal-rich first campaign.
Unfortunately, it was a case of diminishing returns afterwards and Van Persie canceled his contract in the middle of his third season to return to Feyenoord.
It may have been brief, but Nani’s unique campaign left an impression on the player and the club’s fan base as he racked up double digits for goals and assists in 2015/16.
One of the many former Premier League stars scattered throughout the title-winning, state-backed Basaksehir Martin Skrtel continued to deploy his robust approach to defense but – to make it even more annoying – l did with full hair.
At the end of a sensational individual campaign for loaned Crystal Palace Alexander Sorloth in 2019/20, the Norwegian leader finished top scorer in the Super Lig and scored 33 goals in all competitions.
This season, Palace has scored just 30.
At a glance at his silverware harvest, five national trophies are equal to an extremely successful visit to Istanbul for Eboué.
However, the fate of the former Arsenal full-back in Turkey has been marred by racial abuse from opposition supporters and a dispute with his agent which has led to a year-long ban from the sport. Although Galatasaray charitably offered him a role at the club when they learned of his perilous financial situation.
Drogba only needed 18 months to consolidate his place among Galatasaray’s greats in recent years.
The former Chelsea forward has proven prolific and selfless, helping to steer Gala to a record 20th league title in 2013 with a glut of goals in the big game.
I will miss this place. #FinalTraining #Florya #Poldi #cimbom ? ❤? pic.twitter.com/fVOzd1UDSY
– Lukas-Podolski.com (@ Podolski10) June 2, 2017
Scoring in the Intercontinental Derby between the Istanbul Galatasaray and Fenerbahce teams somehow helps consolidate a player’s place in the folklore of his club.
Still, scoring the only goal in a Turkish Cup final between the two halves of the eternal rivalry is worthy of instant hero status, as Podolski discovered in 2016.
Papiss Cisse still hits them?
A hat-trick last week, and the equalizer against Trabzonspor tonight?
21 goals for Alanyaspor this season! pic.twitter.com/mkAAiFVKAw
– Football on BT Sport (@btsportfootball) June 22, 2020
Unlike his Premier League career, which burned so hard before darkening, Cissé actually improved on his dazzling first season in Turkey.
After collecting 16 goals for a clearly median Alanyaspor (43% of their league total), Cissé finished second in top scorer last season, leading his side to the Europa League qualifiers and the Turkish Cup final. The first two for the club.
# takım #team #champion # başakşehir #clichy pic.twitter.com/PuPRl0LNUz
– clichy gael (@ Gaelclichy22) July 23, 2020
The former Arsenal and Manchester City full-back was quick to show off his skills by joining new Basaksehir in 2017, as he explained to the BBC: “When I came to visit I told the president that I am not Lionel Messi but what I can bring is what I have learned. “
Clichy’s three seasons at the club replicated a countdown to success, as Basaksehir finished third, second and finally first in 2020, with the Frenchman part of the squad.
Everywhere Kuyt went, the industrious and talented Dutchman not only excelled, but quickly gained the adoration of the fan base.
His three years at Fenerbahce – where he won the Turkish Cup and the top flight – were no different.
After a three and a half consecutive but memorable stint in the Premier League, Demba Ba leapt between two slightly less revered divisions; the best Turkish and Chinese flights.
In each country, Ba continued to score goals and won the Turkish top flight twice, first with Besiktas in 2017 and then again with Basaksehir in 2020.
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