Sané receives enthusiastic welcome in Istanbul: “I’m really happy”

Istanbul/Orlando. Like a pop star, Leroy Sané is greeted in the middle of the night by hundreds of Galatasaray fans in Istanbul. The Turkish champions are broadcasting a livestream on YouTube as the German national soccer player disembarks from a private plane at the airport. The 29-year-old is wearing a gala scarf around his neck. His partner, Candice Brook, is close by his side.

The images from the Turkish night are also being closely watched almost 10,000 kilometers away in Orlando in the early evening US time. That's where FC Bayern is intensively preparing for the Club World Cup. After the first training session in Florida a few hours earlier, no one wanted to say much about Sané's impending departure. "Leroy hasn't contacted the team," captain Manuel Neuer announced. "I can't say anything about that," commented Thomas Müller, joking: "First of all, I don't know anything. And secondly, it's pointless."

Sané was supposed to travel to the USA today with the other German national team players. But his flight route took him from London to the Turkish football metropolis of Istanbul instead.

At least the never-ending stalemate is finally over, 18 days before the official end of his contract. Sané is leaving Bayern after five years. Only the signing of his contract with Galatasaray remains. The attacking player, who rarely and rather reluctantly speaks in front of cameras in Munich, readily provided information in advance when Turkish reporters surrounded him and questioned him on the steps of the airport terminal. Sané answered in German, with former journalist and current Galatasaray director Fatih Demireli translating.

"I'm incredibly happy to be here," said Sané, who, in his own words, could have gone to several clubs. But he was convinced by "the overall package," "the atmosphere, how much the club wanted me, the fans wanted me," Sané said: "That simply convinced me to say, I'm coming here to Galatasaray. I want to achieve something with the club."

The total package. This is said to be significantly higher, especially financially, for Gala than the significantly reduced annual salary of a reportedly fixed twelve million euros that FC Bayern offered for a new contract until 2028.

Now, after months of contract poker, there is clarity for Sané, who in his five years in Munich only shone sporadically with the jersey number 10, which he confidently took over from Arjen Robben - but never decisively (for a title).

Without the speedy left-footer, Bayern are currently missing an attacking player in their squad for the Club World Cup. At the same time, however, a high-earning player is off the payroll. Sporting director Max Eberl has long since begun the search for a new winger.

The media are heavily involved in the Spanish European champion Nico Williams (22) from Athletic Bilbao, the Frenchman Bradley Barcola (22) from Champions League winner Paris Saint-Germain and the Portuguese Nations League winner Rafael Leão (AC Milan), who at 26 is the oldest of the trio.

Sané, on the other hand, is leaving a top European club and also the Bundesliga – the latter for the second time. Galatasaray and the Turkish Süper Lig could be considered a sporting step backwards. Sané didn't care about that during his frenetically celebrated arrival on the Bosporus. He fondly recalled his guest appearance with FC Bayern in the penultimate Champions League season at the stadium of the Turkish record champions. The Munich team won 3-1 back then.

"The atmosphere was outstanding. It's a lot of fun to play here," said Sané. Back then, he felt the fiery atmosphere as Gala's opponent was a bit too loud. "I'm happy now that they'll always be so loud, that they'll cheer for me and support the team," said Sané. "I'm really looking forward to playing my first home game for Gala."

RND/dpa