Cameroon captain Rigobert Song, seen here in January 2004, moved to Turkish club Galatasaray from French side Lens
Cameroon captain Rigobert Song moved to Turkish club Galatasaray from French side Lens.
Song, 28, who has also played for West Ham and Liverpool in England, said he had wanted to stay at Lens but it had been decided he was surplus to requirements after two years at the club.
"I didn`t see myself leaving Lens so quickly. I wanted to see out my contract and win a title with the club, but it was not my decision," said the veteran of the last three
World Cups.
"Lens wanted to change the face of the team and they had to finance the arrival of new players. And by getting rid of me, they are saving one of their biggest salaries."
Song had also attracted interest from Spanish club Real Mallorca and Ukrainian team Shakhtar Donetsk, but said he chose Istanbul-based Galatasaray because they were "renowned on the European football scene".
The deal was reported to be worth 2.7 million euros.
Galatasaray finished a disappointing sixth in the Turkish league last season as Fenerbahce won the title.
