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Saturday, June 30, 2007

Because of Tuncay Turkish fans flock to Middlesbrough's website

Soccer fans in Istanbul were responsible for more hits on Middlesbrough's website in June than any others, overtaking those from the northeast England club's own town.

Boro signed Turkey forward Tuncay Sanli last week on a free transfer after his contract with Istanbul-based Turkish champion Fenerbahce expired.

With two days of June remaining, 12.8 per cent of all visitors to Middlesbrough's Web site www.mfc.premiumtv.co.uk this month came from Istanbul. Middlesbrough was second on the list with 8.8 per cent, with London third on 7.1 and Turkish capital Ankara fourth on 4.8.

When Boro announced it had agreed to contract terms with the 25-year-old Tuncay on June 13, 58.6 per cent of the site's visitors came from Turkey.

Friday, June 29, 2007

USA FENERBAHCE NEW YORK BALL 2007

LIGHT MENU FOR BESIKTAS

Besiktas rivals were drawn at UEFA headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland on Friday.
Andorra champions FC Ranger's, whose country is participating for the first time, will take on Moldova champions FC Sheriff. The winner of the match will take on Besiktas Black Eagles in the second qualifiers match.
FC Sheriff-FC Rangers will play their first leg match on the 3rd week of July in Moldova and the second leg match will be played in Andora a week after, in the first qualifying round.
Besiktas will play against the winner in the second qualifier round at the end of July. The first leg will be played at Besiktas' Inonu stadium and the second leg will be played away in the first week of August.

Other draws are:

First Qualifying Round:
Khazar Lenkoran (Azerbaijan) vs. Dinamo Zagreb (Croatia)
APOEL (Greek Cyprus) vs. BATE (Belarus)
Hafnarfjordur (Iceland) vs. Torshavn (Faeroe Islands)
The New Saints (Wales) vs. FK Ventspils (Latvia)
Pobeda (Macedonia) vs. Levadia Tallinn (Estonia)
Olimpi Rustavi (Georgia) vs. Astana (Kazakhstan)
Zeta (Montenegro) vs. Kaunas (Lithuania)
Tampere United (Finland) vs. Murata (San Marino)
F91 Dudelange (Luxembourg) vs. MSK Zilina (Slovakia)
Linfield (Northern Ireland) vs. Elfsborg (Sweden)
Derry City (Ireland) vs. Pyunik (Armenia)
Marsaxlokk (Malta) vs. Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina)
Domzale (Slovenia) vs. Tirana (Albania)

Second Qualifying Round

Derry-Pyunik winner vs. Shakhtar Donetsk (Ukraine)
Red Star Belgrade (Serbia) vs. Pobeda-Levadia winner
Rangers (Scotland) vs. Zeta-Kaunas winner
Debreceni (Hungary) vs. Linfield-Elfsborg winner
Zaglebie Lubin (Poland) vs. Steaua Bucharest (Romania)
Genk (Belgium) vs. Marsaxlokk-Sarajevo winner
New Saints-Ventspils winner vs. Salzburg (Austria)
Olimpi-Astana winner vs. Rosenborg (Norway)
Hafnarfjordur-Torshavn winner vs. APOEL-BATE winner
FC Copenhagen (Denmark) vs. Beitar Jerusalem (Israel)
Dudelange-Zilina winner vs. Slavia Prague (Czech Republic)
Tampere-Murata winner vs. Levski Sofia (Bulgaria)
Domzale-Tirana winner vs. Lenkoran-Zagreb winner

Thursday, June 28, 2007

Besiktas to sign French striker Cisse


Besiktas have agreed on terms with French midfielder Edouard Cisse, the semi-official Anatolia news agency reported on Wednesday.

The report said that Besiktas executives Celalettin Kolon and Mario Berk have agreed with Cisse and his team Paris Saint Germain to sign a three-year contract following long talks on Tuesday night.

Besiktas will pay two million Euro transfer fee to Paris Saint Germain for the deal, said the report, adding that 29-year-old French footballer will get 1.5 million Euro per year according to the agreement.

Cisse is expected to arrive in Istanbul at the weekend to take medical and sign the contract.

Tuesday, June 26, 2007

Former Galatasaray coach Derwall dies

THE LEGAND IN TURKISH SOCCER DIES
Jupp Derwall has died at the age of 80, the German Football Federation (DFB) said on Tuesday.

Jupp Derwall, who trained Turkey's Galatasaray soccer team that season, was jubilant Wednesday, April 17, 1985, in Trabzon, Turkey, on the shoulders of his players after his team won the Turkish Federation Cup. Derwall died Tuesday June 26, 2007 aged 80, the German Soccer Federation (DFB) said. (AP Photo)

Galatasary signs Lincoln from Schalke

Galatasary signed Brazil midfielder Lincoln from Schalke on a four-year contract Tuesday."I am happy to be wearing the jersey of such a great team," Lincoln said.Financial details were not released.

More than 1,500 Galatasaray fans cheered the 28-year-old Brazilian at the airport late Monday.

"I was amazed by the fans," Lincoln said. "I was not expecting so much interest."

Thomas Gravesen has been linked with a move to Besiktas

Gravesen's agent John Sivebaek told Ekstra Bladet: "I can confirm that Besiktas have enquired regarding Thomas Gravesen."Celtic's midfield Thomas Gravesen came from from Real Madrid last summer to Celtics.
Also, according to reports,Former Rangers defender Jean Alain Boumsong is set to join Besiktas for £3m from Juventus, his third club in three years.

Emre: I'm staying at Newcastle

Emre Belezoglu is set to stay with Newcastle despite interest from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray. "Even though I got serious offers from Fenerbahce and Galatasaray, I want to continue my career in England," Emre said. "I will stay in Newcastle and I have great respect for new coach Sam Allardyce."
The 26-year-old midfielder has played for the Premier League club since joining from Inter Milan in 2005, scoring five goals in 63 games.

Sunday, June 24, 2007

Fenerbahce make offer for Ronaldo

Turkish champions Fenerbahce are close to the signing of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, chairman Aziz Yildirim has revealed. The Istanbul giants signed full back Roberto Carlos on a two-year deal on Tuesday, and according to Yildirim, he could soon be joined by his compatriot Ronaldo, for whom Fenerbahce have submitted an offer of around nine million euros to Milan.

A transfer will soon come that will put that of Roberto Carlos in the shade. Ronaldo is a world star and would fit in very well with us. It's no secret any more that we are close to [signing] him." Yildirim told Eurosport.

The national title is no longer enough for us," Yildirim added. "We want to make waves at last in the Champions League, and we'll only do that by signing superstars."

Should Milan succeed in tempting Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro, they could well allow Ronaldo to move on, despite only having signed him from Real Madrid in January.

Saturday, June 23, 2007

Lincoln joins Galatasaray

Brazilian midfielder Lincoln from Schalke to Galatasaray has finally gone through.The 28-year-old on Friday put pen to paper
on a four-year contract in Istanbul, leaving the Bundesliga after a four-year spell.In three seasons with Schalke Lincoln played 83 games and scored 20 goals, playing an important role in the club finishing second place in 2005 and last season.
OTHER SIDE(UGLY SIDE) OF LINCOLN!.....But, wait, he missed the first five games after spitting at Stuttgart's Thomas Hitzlsperger in the pre-season League Cup tournament.Later on in the season, he was again suspended, this time for five weeks, for punching Bayer Leverkusen's Bernd Schneider.
LINCOLIN OUT YOUNG TURK IN FOR SCHALKE!
18-year-old Young Turkish-German player ,Mesut Ozil will try to fill the gap left by the playmaker's departure......

Friday, June 22, 2007

Tuncay officially joins Middlesbrough

TUNCAY Sanli has signed a four-year contract at Middlesbrough after undergoing a two-day medical with the Premiership club.
Tuncay, requested the number 17 shirt - the number he wears for Turkish National team and he said ,he was thrilled at the chance to play in the Premier League.
"I am very happy to be here and to sign for Middlesbrough. I have heard a lot about the club and have seen the team many times on television.Ever since I was a young boy, I have wanted to play in the English Premier League and I know that Middlesbrough are one of the most influential teams in the top division, so I am excited about this chance."Boro chief executive Keith Lamb said: "We are delighted that Tuncay has committed his future to Middlesbrough."He is a major star in Turkey so it is a big coup for us to have signed a player of his quality on a free transfer."We will now apply for his work permit and don't expect any problems with that."Tuncay must leave the country while his application for a work permit is processed, although the club do not foresee any problems as he has played in enough of his country's internationals over the last two years to qualify.The 25-year-old will take a short-break before returning to Teesside on July 6 for pre-season training with his new team-mates.

Boro chief says no doubts over Tuncay

Boro Chief executive Keith Kamb has dismissed as "complete rubbish" reports emanating from Turkey that Boro were refusing to deal with Tuncay's agent Erdinc Sehit, says the Evening Gazette.

Thursday, June 21, 2007

TUNCAY IS TIRED FROM MEDICAL TEST ON THE FIRST DAY!

Tuncay has been undergoing a medical test in England.The medical due to be concluded on Friday, Tuncay is hoping to put the finishing touches to his move to the Riverside. He told Sky sport , that he was tired from the

firtts day of the medical test. He went on to say,“It’s (the medical) ongoing tomorrow.

“I will talk details with the club and hopefully we will sign a contract with Middlesbrough tomorrow.”

PARTY TIME FOR FENERBAHCE USA FANS IN TIMES SQUARE IN NEW YORK!..


MY GOOD FRIEND NATHAN FROM "FENERBAHCEWORLDWIDE" WILL TRAVEL TO NEW YORK TO JOIN IN THE CELEBRATIONS!Fenerbahceusa, organization will throw big Gala this Friday night in Manhattan. Fenerbahce President Aziz Yildirim will attend the Big Gala. From Media, Lig Tv, Fenerbahce TV and Fenerbahce Magazine will be at the
Celebrations.For more information, please visit www.fenerbahce.org and Nathan's blog http://fenerbahceworldwide.blogspot.com/

FENERBAHCE DENIES RONALDO TRANSFER..

FENERBAHCE DENIES RONALDO TRANSFER..
Fenerbahce Istanbul on Wednesday dismissed reports they were after Brazil striker Ronaldo. The Turkish football champions said in a statement on their website that they were not in talks with Ronaldo and that they had not sent a 9-million-euros (12 million dollars) guarantee to his current club AC Milan.

Ronaldo joined Milan in the winter transfer window from Real Madrid.

Eurosport:Fenerbahce make offer for Ronaldo

Fenerbahce make offer for RonaldoEurosport - Wed, 20 Jun 16:11:00 2007
Turkish champions Fenerbahce are close to the signing of Brazilian striker Ronaldo, chairman Aziz Yildirim has revealed.

The Istanbul giants signed full back Roberto Carlos on a two-year deal on Tuesday, and according to Yildirim, he could soon be joined by his compatriot Ronaldo, for whom Fenerbahce have submitted an offer of around nine million euros to Milan.

"A transfer will soon come that will put that of Roberto Carlos in the shade. Ronaldo is a world star and would fit in very well with us. It's no secret any more that we are close to [signing] him." Yildirim told Eurosport.

Fener have won the Turkish Super League in three of the last four seasons, though have struggled to make any impact on the European stage. With the signing of Roberto Carlos and possibly Ronaldo, they are hoping to finally progress ion the Champions League.

"The national title is no longer enough for us," Yildirim added. "We want to make waves at last in the Champions League, and we'll only do that by signing superstars."

Should Milan succeed in tempting Andriy Shevchenko back to the San Siro, they could well allow Ronaldo to move on, despite only having signed him from Real Madrid in January.

Fenerbahce are ready to offer Ronaldo a wage of 4 million euros per year, and the striker could also be tempted by the chance to link up not only with Roberto Carlos, but also fellow Brazilians Alex de Souza, Edu Dracena, Marco Aurelio and Deivid de Souza, and his coach would be none other than Brazilian legend Zico.

Tuesday, June 19, 2007

Thousands greet Carlos in Turkey

turkey soccer(football)...turkey turkcell super league
Thousands greet Carlos in Turkey
Thousands of fans cheered Roberto Carlos on Tuesday as the Brazilian full-back formally signed with Turkish champions Fenerbahce.

At a largely ceremonial event at the Sukru Saracoglu stadium on the city's Asian side, Carlos, flanked by members of the Fenerbahce board, signed the deal for the cameras, clad in the Istanbul club's navy and gold strip.

"I am very proud to be wearing this strip," the 34-year-old said through a translator. "My dream is to win the UEFA Cup in this strip."

"Fenerbahce are the greatest, Fenerbahce are the champions," he said in Turkish as fans shouted "I love you Carlos."

Fenerbahce have not disclosed the duration or value of the contract, but Turkish newspapers reported that the club will pay Carlos four millions euros (5.3 million dollars) a year for two years and he will be eligible for bonuses totalling an additional one million euros (1.3 million dollars) a year.

Carlos will join four other Brazilian players at Fenerbahce which Brazilian football legend Zico has been coaching since 2006.

Fenerbahce began chasing Carlos last year, but the former international decided to stay on with Spanish giants Real Madrid until the end of his contract.

Source:Wires

Roberto Carlos signs with Turkish champion Fenerbahce

turkey soccer(football)...turkey turkcell super league
Roberto Carlos signs with Turkish champion Fenerbahce
Roberto Carlos has completed his move from Real Madrid to Fenerbahce, signing a two-year contract while wearing the Turkish champion's yellow-and-blue striped shirt.

The 34-year-old Brazilian left back was mobbed at the Ataturk international airport before being introduced at Fenerbahce's Sukru Saracoglu stadium in front of thousands of fans on Tuesday.


Roberto Carlos had played for Real Madrid since 1996 and wanted to move to the Turkish club last season, but had to finish his contract with the Spanish team, his agent Dino Pasalic said.

"We are living an historic day," Fenerbahce president Aziz Yildirim said. "We will start our struggle for success in Europe."

Roberto Carlos won the World Cup with Brazil in 2002 and retired from international soccer after the 2006 edition. Fenerbahce did not disclose any financial details about his contract.

Source:AP

Roberto Carlos in Istanbul to sign contract with Fenerbahce




turkey soccer(football)...turkey turkcell super league...
Roberto Carlos in Istanbul to sign contract with Fenerbahce

Brazilian defender Roberto Carlos arrived in Istanbul late on Monday to sign contract with Turkish champions Fenerbahce. Hundreds of Fener fans welcomed former Real Madrid star at the Ataturk Airport.

Monday, June 18, 2007

LATEST TURKEY FOOTBALL (SOCCER) NEWS

turkey soccer(football)...turkey turkcell super league
VOLKAN DEMIREL SIGNED WITH FENERBAHCE AGAIN......**************************************************************************************************************************************************
RONALDO TO FENERBAHCE?...According to Turkish daily news paper "Hurriyet", Brazilian Star Ronaldo, who plays for AC.Milan , will sign withFenerbahce. According to article Ronaldo's Manager phoned Turkish Star Hakan Sukur and told him " your friend Ronaldo, will be playing for Fenerbahce"

Pele: Kaka is best and better than Ronaldo!....
ESPN Soccernet.com


ROBERTO CARLOS IS IN iSTANBUL!According to Fenerbahce .org, Roberto Carlos will arrive in Turkey late on Monday Night.
the signing ceremony will be on Tuesday 1:00 Pm,local time and it will be open to all the Fenerbahce fans.

RUSTU RECBER WITH AHMET TURGUT IN USA


turkey soccer(football)...turkey turkcell super league

TURKEY FOOTBALL(SOCCER) NEWS....

turkey soccer(football)
SOME ONE HAS TO TELL UEFA WEB SITE, ISTANBUL IS NOT THE CAPITAL OF TURKEY!

UEFA.COM , web site, made Istanbul as of capital of Turkey in the Rustu Recber's swith to Besiktas news !..here is the news article dropped in my e-mail box by yahoo alert......

Rüstü opts for capital switch

uefa.com - Switzerland

Veteran Tukrish international goalkeeper Rüstü Reçber and midfielder Mehmet Yozgatl have both agreed moves across Istanbul from Fenerbahçe SK to Besiktas ...

***************************************************************************************

Nick Carle Speaks

Australian FourFourTwo - Sydney,NSW,Australia

And after a hush-hush trip to Turkey last Thursday, the 25-year-old is back in Newcastle armed with a contract to play in the Turkish Super League for, er, ...



GALATASARAY GETS ISMAEL BOUZID !

Galatasaray signed 23-year-old Algerian international Ismaill Bouzid from Kaiserslautern.

Bouzid is expected to be in Trukey this weekend.

RUSTU RECBER LEAVES FENERBAHCE TO GO TO BESIKTAS!

According to first,Oz Kanka than the the Turkish national media , Rustu Recber goal keeper from Fenerbahce made the switch to Besiktas...... He is the second Fenerbahce player came to Besiktas so far!..

Why Besiktas signed Rustu,when they signed another Natioal keeper From Ankaraspor who's name is Hakan!

If it is truth, Rustu will be making, 1,5 million euros per year and he has a contract for three years.

Vedran Runje will not be playing for them next season. He will be playing in France.

Nick Carle signs for Genclerbirligi by Oz Kanka....

Bad Craziness by Gulay Galatasaray Fan.....

Galatasaray are set to sign Schalke playmaker Lincoln

According to Galatasaray chairman Ozhan Canaydin,Galatasaray are set to sign Schalke playmaker Lincoln.

"Lincoln wants to leave Schalke and has signalled his readiness to come to us," Canaydin said. "Soon the transfer will go through."We have already agreed with him and next week we will settle the details with Schalke."

Galatasaray vice-president Adnan Polat believes that the addition of Lincoln to already-signed Sweden captain Tobias Linderoth will allow the club to launch an assault upon the UEFA Cup.

"Lincoln is in Brazil and promised to sign on the telephone. These two players will ensure that the poor last season will be consigned to oblivion."New Galatasaray coach Karl-Heinz Feldkamp is looking forward to welcoming Lincoln to the Bosphorus. "He is a player I desire. With him Galatasaray will compete domestically and in Europe."

GENCLERBIRLIGI SIGNS FUAT CAPA....

Genclerbirligi team owner found a coach that has UEFA Pro Licence ....
My friend Oz Kanka, from Ankara wrote a column about Fuat Capa and New Ankaragucu Coach Briegel .... Please read his articles.....

Friday, June 15, 2007

turkey soccer(football)
FENERBAHCE DENIES BUT WORLD MEDIA STILL TALKING ABOUT IT!Au.fourfourtwo.com:Turkish Bidding War For Carle......
Fenerbahce now have a rival suitor for Socceroo Nick Carle with fellow Turkish giants Galatasaray joining the race to sign the talented playmaker. Au.fourfourtwo.com can reveal that a South American agent working for Galatasaray has been alerted about the 25-year-old Jets star and is now actively working to bring him to the club.That same agent is also working on a deal to also bring Argentine ace Juan Riquelme to Galatasaray. Carle is currently in Turkey meeting with Fenerbahce officials.
TUNCAY'S NEW COACH SEEK APPROVAL!The 36-year-old Gereth Southgate will not be able to fulfil the newly-amended Premier League requirement of being enrolled on the UEFA Pro Licence course by the start of the 2007-08 campaign, and that could leave Boro with a problem.
Southgate has already completed his UEFA B Licence and is currently studying for the A Licence,he cannot enrol for the Pro Licence until he has completed that course.
TURKISH STAR ILHAN MANSIZ CALLS IT QUIT!
Former Turkey international forward İlhan Mansız has retired at the age of 31 after failing to recover from a knee injury.
At the press conference in Istanbul Ilhan said this “I had a car crash when I was recuperating in Germany which harmed my knee again. I tried so hard in the United States and Germany to return to the pitch, but Bayern Munich doctor Hans Wohlfahrt advised me to stop.” Ilhan will be working in fashion desing.
FENERBAHCE SIGNED COLIN KAZIM ........
Fenerbahce has signed a contract for 3+1 years with Colin Kazım.Colin said: "I have come to one of the biggest teams in Europe. I am excited to be playing for the same team as Roberto Carlos."
TUNCAY SANLI TRANSFER DILEMA!.....The people who visits this page knows, I was the first in the Turkish media, about Boro's team officials trip to Turkey!..while Turkish media was busy talking about non -existing teams!
GREEDY MANAGER!....I think , Tuncay is a victim of his greedy manager!.... Because of him , he left the Honorable Fenerbahce's captain chair, without giving fair chance to his team and to the fans. He should not forget , Fenerbahce was the team made what is Tuncay today...not his greedy manager..... Tuncay leaving the team on a free transfer is a big slapt in a face for Fenerbahce team, and they don't deserve that!......
As far as the other teams wanted him.....it was dead end street!.... here are the proofs.....
Birmingham Mail : "Turkish ace slips off the Blues radar"
a salary in excess £50,000-a-week expected, plus hefty signing-on payments and agent's fees, Blues have cooled considerably.
Sky sports :Sam Allardyce has dismissed reports linking Newcastle United with Tuncay Sanli as 'agent talk'.
"Everyone knows that we are on the look-out for players and, unfortunately, that means we are going to be linked with a lot of names this summer," Allardyce told The Journal. "But, as far as I am concerned, the stories linking us with Tuncay Sanli and Ludovic Giuly are agent talk.

TURKEYFOOTBALLNEWS

turkey soccer(football)
FENERBAHCE DENIES BUT WORLD MEDIA STILL TALKING ABOUT IT!Au.fourfourtwo.com:Turkish Bidding War For Carle......
Fenerbahce now have a rival suitor for Socceroo Nick Carle with fellow Turkish giants Galatasaray joining the race to sign the talented playmaker. Au.fourfourtwo.com can reveal that a South American agent working for Galatasaray has been alerted about the 25-year-old Jets star and is now actively working to bring him to the club.That same agent is also working on a deal to also bring Argentine ace Juan Riquelme to Galatasaray. Carle is currently in Turkey meeting with Fenerbahce officials.
TUNCAY'S NEW COACH SEEK APPROVAL!The 36-year-old Gereth Southgate will not be able to fulfil the newly-amended Premier League requirement of being enrolled on the UEFA Pro Licence course by the start of the 2007-08 campaign, and that could leave Boro with a problem.
Southgate has already completed his UEFA B Licence and is currently studying for the A Licence,he cannot enrol for the Pro Licence until he has completed that course.
TURKISH STAR ILHAN MANSIZ CALLS IT QUIT!Former Turkey international forward İlhan Mansız has retired at the age of 31 after failing to recover from a knee injury.
At the press conference in Istanbul Ilhan said this “I had a car crash when I was recuperating in Germany which harmed my knee again. I tried so hard in the United States and Germany to return to the pitch, but Bayern Munich doctor Hans Wohlfahrt advised me to stop.” Ilhan will be working in fashion desing.
FENERBAHCE SIGNED COLIN KAZIM ........Fenerbahce has signed a contract for 3+1 years with Colin Kazım.Colin said: "I have come to one of the biggest teams in Europe. I am excited to be playing for the same team as Roberto Carlos."
TUNCAY SANLI TRANSFER DILEMA!.....The people who visits this page knows, I was the first in the Turkish media, about Boro's team officials trip to Turkey!..while Turkish media was busy talking about non -existing teams!
GREEDY MANAGER!....I think , Tuncay is a victim of his greedy manager!.... Because of him , he left the Honorable Fenerbahce's captain chair, without giving fair chance to his team and to the fans. He should not forget , Fenerbahce was the team made what is Tuncay today...not his greedy manager..... Tuncay leaving the team on a free transfer is a big slapt in a face for Fenerbahce team, and they don't deserve that!......
As far as the other teams wanted him.....it was dead end street!.... here are the proofs.....
Birmingham Mail : "Turkish ace slips off the Blues radar"
a salary in excess £50,000-a-week expected, plus hefty signing-on payments and agent's fees, Blues have cooled considerably.
Sky sports :Sam Allardyce has dismissed reports linking Newcastle United with Tuncay Sanli as 'agent talk'.
"Everyone knows that we are on the look-out for players and, unfortunately, that means we are going to be linked with a lot of names this summer," Allardyce told The Journal. "But, as far as I am concerned, the stories linking us with Tuncay Sanli and Ludovic Giuly are agent talk.

Sunday, June 10, 2007

फेनेर्बह्स ओं कण!

turkey soccer(football)
Fenerbahce celebrate centenary in style
By Simon Hooper for CNN

ISTANBUL, Turkey (CNN) -- Recent visitors to Istanbul could hardly have failed to notice the predominance of flags and banners in blue and yellow stretched out amid the bazaars of Sultanahmet, and fluttering from seafront terraces along the Bosphorus.

While football fans would have instantly recognised the colors of Fenerbahce, they may also have been surprised by their saturation coverage in a city that traditionally splits three ways with Galatasaray and Besiktas -- the other two-thirds of the trio that dominate Turkish football -- also enjoying strong local support.

For now however, Istanbul belongs to Fenerbahce. The club is currently celebrating not only a record 17th Turkish championship but its centenary year. And to mark the occasion, Fener this week clinched the signing of a bona fide, albeit ageing, superstar: Brazilian fullback Roberto Carlos.

At 34, Carlos may not represent the most radical or imaginative of signings, but the former Real Madrid stalwart, a World Cup winner in 2002, fits the bill for a club seeking it raise its profile outside the hothouse atmosphere of Turkish football, bringing the sort of kudos that might just make the difference in persuading other top players to venture to one of the European game's frontiers.

"I had a lot of offers from Italy, England and other countries but Fenerbahce want to grow as a club and I was keen to help them," said the Brazilian.

Carlos' arrival is merely the latest stage in a revival that has seen Fenerbahce finally emerge from the shadows behind rivals Galatasaray, Turkey's best-known club on the back of four Turkish league titles in the late 90s, their UEFA Cup success in 2000 and regular recent progress to the later stages of the Champions League.

The club already has a big-name coach in Zico; a Brazilian connection that was instrumental in bringing Carlos to Istanbul.

It has an impressive new home at the 52,000 Sukru Saracoglu Stadium in the Asian side of the city (making matches between Fener and Galatasaray or Besiktas the only intercontinental local derbies in the world).

And now the club has success on the field, having finished the season nine points clear of nearest rivals Besiktas.

The next goal for Fener will be to translate domestic glory into dynastic dominance at home while establishing itself as a serious challenger for European honors.

Following last season's disappointment elimination from the Champions League at the qualifying stage, Fener will be hoping to make their mark in Europe's premier tournament.

That will likely depend on the scoring form of Brazilian midfielder Alex de Souza, top scorer this season, and revived Serbian striker Mateja Kezman, a flop at Chelsea who has rediscovered his predatory instincts.

But Zico will also likely have to cope with a continuing player drain, with this season's captain, Umit Ozat, already set on a move to Bundesliga side FC Koln.

Still those players committed to the club insist, the best is to come for Fener fans.

"This was an unforgettable season for Fenerbahce. This title is really precious and special," said Turkish international defender Deniz Baris after signing a new three-year contract.

"Now it will be easier because we have already proven that Fenerbahce is the best team in the Turkish League. Now our fans want us to be successful in Europe, so we will do our best."