Western Daily Press (Saturday)
Turkish club sign ex-Gas playmaker
ERHUN Oztumer may have to check his surroundings several times over next season as having spent 2020/21 in a relegation battle, the former Bristol Rovers midfielder could be lining up against Turkish giants Fenerbahce, Galatasaray and Besiktas.
After his loan with Bristol Rovers ended following the Gas’ relegation to League Two, Oztumer’s contract was not extended by Charlton Athletic and he left The Valley last week on a free transfer.
The 30-year-old has now been snapped up by Turkish top-flight club Fatih Karagumruk, who play home matches at Istanbul’s Ataturk Olympic Stadium - scene of Liverpool’s 2005 Champions League win over AC Milan. His teammates will include former Liverpool striker Fabio Borini, Argentina international and exMilan midfielder Lucas Biglia and Italian goalkeeper Emiliano Viviano, who’s been capped six times by the Azzurri. Karagumruk finished last season eighth in the Super Lig, five points outside the European qualification places.
It represents a significant upgrade for the Londonder, who is of Turkish and Cypriot descent but who last played in Turkey with another Istanbul side Uskudar Anadolu in 2012 before moving to England.
■ Forest Green Rovers have brought Jack Aitchison back for a second loan spell, this time from Championship club Barnsley.
The former Celtic youngster joins Rovers on a season-long loan deal after previously playing at The New Lawn during the 2019/20 season, scoring six goals in 30 appearances.
On his return to Nailsworth, Aitchison said: “When I heard I would be going back out on loan there was only one place I wanted to be and that was here.”
Rich Hughes, director of football, said: “When the opportunity became available, it was a nobrainer for us.”