Boss Reveals Tuncay Drama
GARETH SOUTHGATE has revealed how Boro swooped to sign Turkish superstar Tuncay Sanli from under the noses of a gathering pack of rival suitors.
The 25-year-old forward was snapped up on a Bosman transfer after his contract with Turkish champions Fenerbahce came to an end. But Boro had no time to lose as interested clubs in countries including Spain and Italy prepared to make their moves.
“It’s a situation we were alerted to quite late on,” said the Boro boss. “We were aware of other teams watching him and getting ready to do something and we moved in quickly.
“We were able to watch him at the end of the season and to be able to move as quickly as we did has been fantastic. His pedigree for Fenerbahce and for Turkey and his goalscoring record is outstanding.”
Southgate said the signing of such a major star underlines Boro’s continuing ambiiton and is also testament to the pulling power of the Barclays Premier League.
“He had lots of options but he was hungry to come here and challenge himself in the Premier League,” he said.” We shouldn’t underestimate the challenge and excitement playing in the Premier League has.
“He’s won the league title in Turkey and now he’s done that in his own country he’s looking to establish himself in what he considers to be one of the strongest leagues in Europe.”
The manager believes Tuncay’s versatility and willingness to pay in a number of positions will be a massive weapon in Boro’s armoury in the season ahead.
“I know he’s played left, right, in behind a striker and as a striker,” he said. “He’s a good footballer. We will assess what the best role is with him.
“The lads we’ve brought in show the sort of hunger, pace and energy we want to bring into the side. We’re going to have great competition for places and that’s good because we don’t want a team that picks itself every week.
“I feel there’s a fresh start, a new beginning and we’re trying to make a few changes through the training ground to say we’ve got through the first year, now we want to push on.”
Source : http://www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk
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