Turkey captain Arda Turan lands in Barcelona

Turkey captain Arda Turan said on Thursday playing for Barcelona was a dream come true.

Minutes after arriving at El Prat airport the Turkish player was taken to Barcelona´s office where he met the sports director, Albert Soler and had the chance to pose next to Barca´s jersey.

Visibly nervous, Turan said he was very happy.

“I feel perfectly really because this is my dream. I feel very happy,” he said.

The former Atletico Madrid player said he was looking forward for the first training session of the season.

“First training, I´m waiting. I feel just I´m waiting for the first training. I´m very… I feel very different, although better for me everything now,” he said.

A cloud of photographers waited for him outside the office building to have the chance to snap the player next to a giant Barca badge.

Yesterday the midfielder said at a Spanish radio that it was going to be tough for him not being able to play until January.

FIFA banned Barca from two transfer windows after they were deemed to have broken rules on the signing of foreign under-18 players, although they are allowed to buy and sell and have also added versatile wide player Aleix Vidal from Sevilla.

The deal to sign Arda was complicated by the fact that Barca are in the midst of a presidential election campaign and are being administered by a special commission, which had to approve the transfer.

The commission included an unusual clause which means whoever wins the July 18 election has the option within two days of selling Arda back to Atletico less 10 percent of the fixed fee of 34 million euros ($37.59 million).

Arda will be officially presented tomorrow in the Camp Nou.