Midfield boost for Gaziantepspor
Friday, January 2, 2004
Article summary
Gaziantepspor have signed midfield duo Hakan Bayraktar and Yusuf Simsek from fellow Turkish side Fenerbahçe SK.
Article body
Gaziantepspor have signed midfield players Hakan Bayraktar and Yusuf Simsek from Fenerbahçe SK ahead of their UEFA Cup third-round meeting with AS Roma.
'Quality player'
The 27-year-old Hakan has rejoined on an 18-month contract having departed for Fenerbahçe in 2001. Gaziantepspor president Celal Dogan said of the signing: "Hakan is a quality player and is a good character. We are happy that he has chosen to play for us." Referring to the player falling out of favour with Fenerbahçe coach Christoph Daum, Dogan added: "All players have ups and downs but I believe he will soon find his form."
Roma visit
Unlike Hakan, Yusuf has only joined on loan, signing a contract until the end of the season. "Gaziantepspor are challenging for the UEFA Cup and Turkish Cup and are also playing well in the league," said Yusuf. The 23-year-old joined Fenerbahçe during the1999/00 season from Denizlispor. Gaziantepspor are at home to Roma on 26 February before travelling to the Italian capital for the return leg on 3 March.
