Ciro Immobile lands in Istanbul this evening and has been announced as a new Besiktas player, leaving Lazio after eight years and 207 goals.
The 34-year-old Italy international agreed personal terms with club chief Feyyaz Ucar in Rome today and they flew out together towards Turkish soil tonight.
As per the Turkish rules, Besiktas have released a statement of public disclosure that they have ‘begun negotiations for the transfer of Ciro Immobile.’
That is a formal passage they need to go through, but effectively means the deal is already done.
He has signed a two-year contract, but in order to give Lazio the €2-3m transfer fee they were asking for, Sportitalia claim that Immobile accepted a pay cut.
The centre-forward first came to the Stadio Olimpico from Sevilla in 2016 and went on to become a legend for the club, scoring a record 207 goals in 340 competitive matches.
There had been tension over the last year when he turned down a proposal from the Saudi Pro League and some sections of the fans and media held it against him, feeling his best years were behind him.
Injuries also took their toll and he was left out of the Italy squad going to EURO 2024.
Besiktas announce Immobile
👑👑👑👑 pic.twitter.com/XP8YVyu7lb
— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) July 12, 2024
Capocannoniere
Capocannoniere
Capocannoniere
Capocannoniere— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) July 12, 2024
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— Beşiktaş JK (@Besiktas) July 12, 2024