Atletico star Arda feels at home in Azerbaijan

BAKU - Hürriyet Daily News

Arda Turan and Atletico Madrid were given a warm welcome in Azerbaijan. AA photo

Turkish football star Arda Turan said he felt at home in Azerbaijan, where he arrived with his team Atletico Madrid on April 29 to play a friendly game.

He spoke at a press meeting a day before a friendly game between Atletico and Azeri Stars.

“I am very happy to be here,” Arda said. “I don’t feel in a foreign country here. I feel at home in Azerbaijan.”

The game followed the Spanish giants’ sponsorship deal with the country’s tourism authority. Atletico Madrid’s jerseys bore the slogan “Azerbaijan – Land of Fire” since the signing of the $16 million deal in January.

Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev received the Atletico players, expressing satisfaction at how the club was becoming popular in the country, the state-run APA news agency reported.

Players also visited former President Haydar Aliyev’s grave.

Arda also wished Fenerbahçe, which is to meet Benfica in the semifinal second leg of the Europa League tomorrow, to do well.

“I hope Fenerbahçe wins the cup, it would be great for Turkish football,” said Turan, a former captain of Galatasaray, Fenerbahçe’s archrival.