Franco and Keita join Galatasaray

Galatasaray AŞ have completed the double signing of goalkeeper Leo Franco from Club Atlético de Madrid and winger Kader Keita from Olympique Lyonnais. Both have signed three-year contracts, with Franco arriving on a free transfer and Keita for €8.5m with another €500,000 payable depending on the club's results.

'New challenge'
The 32-year-old Franco, who has been capped four times by Argentina, was a regular for Atlético last season, starting 32 league matches and eight more in the UEFA Champions League. He brings a wealth of experience to Istanbul having made 153 Liga appearances in five years for Atlético and another 148 in five seasons with RCD Mallorca prior to that. "This is a source of pride and a huge step for me," he said. "I needed a new challenge." The former CA Independiente keeper is also looking forward to linking up with new Galatasaray coach Frank Rijkaard. "He won the UEFA Champions League with FC Barcelona and left his mark at the club. I like his playing system very much and I hope the fans will too."

Keita in
Keita, 27, leaves France after two seasons at LOSC Lille Métropole and two at Lyon. He was Lyon's record signing when he arrived for €18m in the summer of 2007 and made 52 top-flight appearances at the Stade de Gerland, helping Les Gones win the Ligue 1 title in his first season with the club. The versatile attacker has been capped 45 times by the Ivory Coast and is comfortable on either the right or left flank. Galatasaray begin their UEFA Europa League campaign in the second qualifying round against Kazakhstan's FC Tobol Kostanay on 16 and 23 July.