Emmanuel Eboue Completed A Move To Galatsaray

Emmanuel Eboue to Galatsaray

Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué completed a move to Turkish club Galatasaray on 16 August 2011 for €3.5 million (£3m). He rejected offers from to Tottenham Hotspurs and Roma. Eboué has signed a four-year contract with Galatsaray.

"Arsenal have agreed terms with Turkish side Galatasaray for the transfer of Emmanuel Eboue," the club said in its website. "Everyone at Arsenal thanks Manu for his contribution towards the club and wishes him the best of luck for the future."

The Ivory Coast international football player, who plays at right-back and in midfield, ends a six-year stay in north London after joined from Belgian club Beveren in 2005. Eboué felt his career at Arsenal no longer when he played only 13 league appearances at last season.

At the start of the 2011–12 season Eboue lost his squad number to new signing Gervinho, who was given the number 27 shirt upon his arrival, which left Eboue's future at the club unclear.

The 28-year-old's departure comes a day after Cesc Fábregas completed his prolonged move to Barcelona. Samir Nasri is also expected to leave before the transfer window ends. Eboué made 216 appearances in all competitions for Arsenal and scored 13 goals.

Emmanuel Eboue was born 4 June 1983 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast. He began his career at the famous ASEC Mimosas youth academy, like former teammate Kolo Habib Touré. In 2002, Eboué moved to ASEC's Belgian feeder club, KSK Beveren, and spent three seasons there. His impressive performances in Belgium caught the eye of Arsenal scouts.

Eboué debuted for Côte d'Ivoire in 2004 and has generally been a regular fixture in the defence operating at right-back for the Elephants, along with former teammate Kolo Touré. He was named in Sven Goran Eriksson's Ivory Coast squad for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.