Meira turns new page at Galatasaray
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Article summary
Portugal international defender Fernando Meira has signed a three-year contract with Turkish champions Galatasaray AS after being released by VfB Stuttgart.
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'New page'
The 30-year-old, who has the option of a fourth season in Istanbul, is expected to link up with Servet Çetin at the heart of the Galatasaray defence. "I believe I have turned a new page with this world-famous club," he said. "I am well aware that Galatasaray not only aspire to domestic successes but also want significant achievements in Europe. My target before joining Galatasaray was to sign a long-term contract with a top-level club. Now my aim is to win the league and play for Portugal again in the [2010 FIFA] World Cup."
EURO appearances
Meira has scored twice in 52 appearances for Portugal, and played in all but one of their matches at UEFA EURO 2008™, as they lost to Germany in the quarter-finals. He started his career at Vitória SC in the 1995/96 season and earned a €4m move to SL Benfica in the summer of 2000, where he was a great success and captained the side. Stuttgart paid €7.5m for him in January 2002 and he won the Bundesliga with them in 2006/07. He left the club on Sunday having scored eleven goals in 176 league games. Galatasaray start their UEFA Champions League campaign in the third qualifying round.
