Lille sign Yilmaz from Besiktas
Lille have signed Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz from Besiktas on a free transfer, one day after selling Victor Osimhen to Napoli, the Ligue 1 club announced on Saturday.
The 35-year-old Yilmaz has spent most of his career in Turkey and is one of a select few to have played for Fenerbahce, Besiktas and Galatasaray.
“The experienced and prolific striker and Turkish football idol has signed a two-season contract with the Lille club,” Lille said in a statement.
Yilmaz has scored 24 goals in 59 international matches for Turkey and netted 13 times in 25 league games for Besiktas last season.
“I want to write a new chapter with Lille. I don’t want to disappoint myself or Lille who trust me,” he said.
Lille sold Nigerian forward Osimhen to Napoli on Friday for a fee which could rise to 80 million euros ($94.6 million), while former France striker Loic Remy also left the club at the end of his contract.
The club were fourth in Ligue 1 when the 2019-20 season was halted with 10 games remaining due to the coronavirus pandemic, missing out on a Champions League place to Rennes by one point.
