Norwegian international Linnes signs with Turkey’s Galatasaray

ISTANBUL

Cihan Photo

Norwegian international footballer Martin Linnes arrived in Istanbul on Jan. 12 to sign a contract with Galatasaray.

“I know Galatasaray is a big club,” right-back Linnes told the Istanbul side’s official broadcaster on arrival at the airport. 

He was scheduled to join the team, which is currently on its winter break training in Turkey’s Antalya before the Turkish League resumes on Jan. 16. 

Linnes is no stranger to Turkish football fans, having scored the third goal against Fenerbahçe in the 2015–16 UEFA Europa League group stage match while playing for Norwegian side Molde in his team’s 3-1 win on Sept. 17. 

Galatasaray is third in the Turkish Spor Toto Super League standings, 10 points behind second-placed Fenerbahçe and 11 behind leader Beşiktaş. 

Although decorated with international stars such Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Dutch midfielder Wesley Sneijder and German striker Lukas Podolski, Turkey’s defending champions are struggling this season, parting ways with coach Hamza Hamzaoğlu in November 2015 and now looking to better days under Mustafa Denizli.