Eto’o Joins Turkish Club Atalyaspor on a 3-Year Deal

Record four-time African Player of the Year Samuel Eto’o has joined Turkish Super Lig newcomers Antalyaspor.

The Cameroonian, 34, “have signed a three-year contract” with Atalyaspor after spending just five month at Italian Serie A outfit Sampdoria.

The three-time Uefa Champions League winner was a prominent member of the Barcelona’s treble-winning side in 2009- his final season at the Camp Nou following his arrival in 2004.

Eto’o trophy haul in Catalunya includes three Spanish Primeira Division titles and two Champions League winner’s medal. His third European Cup success came in 2010 at Inter Milan under Jose Mourinho.

Eto’o, who was reunited with the Portuguese coach at Chelsea in the 2013-14 season, also has an Olympic gold medal won at the 2008 Summer Games, making him the most decorated African footballer.

This picture was taken at Antalya Airport last Thursday night, with the Club representatives and the agents who made this opportunity possible. I am proud to announce that I have signed a 3-year contract with Antalyaspor. Before making my decision, I went there to visit, and the team, the city made me realize that, even at my age, I could keep on dreaming, dreaming of a new challenge, a beautiful one. The new project, new stadium, new players, along with the new philosophy of the team (shared with me), will certainly change the football background in this magnificent country that is Turkey. A challenge's worth is only relative to how ambitious one is and the personal value that you attach to it. In bringing Barcelona or Inter to winning the Champions League and maybe Antalyaspor to win the Turkish League, my ultimate satisfaction will always be to make a dream come true by adding my modest contribution. I’m now impatient to return to Antalya on the 7th of July to meet with the great fans of Antalyaspor. Thank you very much to all my fans for the continuous support! SEF

A photo posted by Samuel Eto'o (@setoo9) on Jun 30, 2015 at 8:58am PDT

Antalyaspor are reported to be closing in on signing Eto’o’s former Barcelona team-mate Ronaldinho, having stated that they would recruit another “big name’ and “set the world on fire.”

The club president, Gultekin Gencer, is said to have told Turkish channel TRT Spor: “We reached an agreement with Ronaldinho. I think within two days it’ll be made official.”