Emotional Ridvan Yilmaz 's final moments as a Besiktas player have been caught on camera in Spain as the left-back makes tracks for Rangers.
The Ibrox side have struck an £4million plus agreement to land the 21-year-old who is now en route to Scotland to undergo a medical and sign off on personal terms. They've since spread like wildfire and he's expected to be announced as a Rangers player imminnetly.
He arrives as Gio van Bronckhorst's replacement for Calvin Bassey, who joined Ajax in a club record £19m deal, and will initially compete with Borna Barisic at left-back with a view to replacing the 29-year-old in the long-term. He brings an impressive calibre, and having already been capped six times for Turkey at senior level, his imminent exit has sparked plenty of media attention in his homeland.
The press were waiting for Yilmaz as he left the training camp in Spain and were on hand to capture the scenes as he made his way to the airport. Yilmaz, still bedecked in Besiktas training gear, was clearly emotional when asked to speak to the fans for the final time. He told the gathered media: "Separations are also included in love. We always have a brotherhood." And it's crystal clear this is a player who is beloved by his current club and Rangers supporters will be hope it's a similar story when he heads to Ibrox.
Meanwhile Turkey boss Stefan Kuntz reckons Yilmaz is such a promising talented he won't have to worry about another left-back for "at least ten years." He said he's been "amazed" by the youngster's talent and reckons Rangers have landed a true gem.
"I've been amazed by Ridvan's consistent levels of performances with Besiktas and for the national team," he said. "Even though he is still very young, he plays with a head of a player who is far older. He's very smart on the pitch.
"If he increases his physical strength - which is the one aspect where he needs to work on - he could easily play for one of the top clubs in Europe. Turkey won't need to worry about another left back for at least another ten years."
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