Van Persie joins Turkish club

Manchester United’s Dutch striker Robin Van Persie arrived in Istanbul on Sunday to sign a contract with Fenerbahce club.

Hundreds of fans greeted him at Istanbul’s Sabiha Gokcen airport as they hoped the club’s latest transfer would contribute the progress of Turkish football.

“After these transfers we believe we will pass pre-qualification for Champions league. These transfers are very important to improve the quality of Turkish league. Hopefully we will good games and our team is on a good path,” Fenerbahce Tamer Donat said.

“These renowned footballers contribute to the progress of Turkish football by coming here. Especially more footballers like Van Persie, Nani and Galatasaray’s Podolski should come to Turkey. We need success in football along with financial opportunities so they can come and play here. As long as we achieve success more footballers will arrive,” added another fan Berkay Bozan.

Fenerbahce opened transfer talks with Manchester United over signing Netherlands striker Robin Van Persie last Thursday.

The 31-year-old joined United from Arsenal for 24 million pounds in August 2012 and had an impressive debut season, finishing as the Premier League’s top scorer as the Old Trafford side won the title.

But the Dutchman struggled for form and fitness under Louis van Gaal last term and slipped down the pecking order.

Van Persie will follow his former United team mate Nani to Fenerbahce after the Portugal winger completed a move to the Turkish club earlier this week.