Leverkusen sell Demirbay to Galatasaray

Galatasaray Istanbul officially unveiled Germany’s Kerem Demirbay as a new signing on Thursday afternoon. 

Bundesliga veteran Kerem Demirbay’s move to Turkey is now official. The 30-year-old Herten-native moves abroad for the first time in his 11-year-professional career. Details concerning the transfer feee were made public. Bayer Leverkusen shall receive a €3.7 million transfer fee for their long-time midfielder.

Stephan van Nocks of Germany’s Kicker Magazine reports that the figure could rise as high as €6 million if certain performance-related-bonues are met. The Turkish club also revealed that the twice-capped international will earn €1 million annually on a three-year-contract.

Demirbay departs German football having made 184 top-flight appearances for Leverkusen, Hoffenheim and Hamburger SV. He scored a total of 22 league goals. At the peak of his powers in the summer of 2019, Bayer paid a €32 million transfer sum to acquire him from Hoffenheim. He drew a reported €5 million annual salary whilst representing die Werkself.

“The move to Turkey was Kerem’s express wish because of his familial roots,” B04 managing director Simon Rolfes noted in a statement released by the German club, “We wish him all the best at Galatasaray and thank him for his commitment to Bayer 04.”

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