LOSC Lille Métropôle have announced the signature of Turkey international Zeki Celik, 21, who joins the northern club on a five-year deal from Istanbulspor.
Turkish right-back Zeki Celik, who played for Istanbulspor in his homeland's second division last season, has signed a five-year contract with LOSC, the club announced on Sunday. A full Turkey international (one cap) at just 21, Celik has arrived to reinforce the Dogues' defensive sector as understudy to Kévin Malcuit, a senior figure in the LOSC squad.
First cap in June
Last season, Celik played 36 matches and scored three goals to help Istanbulspor to a ninth-placed finish in Turkey's second tier, earning a call-up to the national team by coach Mircea Lucescu. Celik earned his first cap in a 1-1 friendly draw with Russia in June (1-1).
Celik isn't LOSC's first capture of the transfer window; coach Christophe Galtier made it clear he wanted to re-work his squad after signing a contract extension and the northern club has been busy: earlier last week, forwards Jonathan Bamba (AS Saint-Etienne) and Jonathan Ikoné (Paris Saint-Germain) arrived. This week, two youngsters also joined the 2011 Ligue 1 Conforama champions: 18-year-old Serbian midfielder Arton Zeka and 20-year-old Togolese defender Hakim Ouro-Sama.
