Portugal international Nani underwent a medical today ahead of his exit to Turkish club Fenerbahce, reportedly for a fee around $7 million.
On loan at Portuguese side Sporting CP, the 28-year-old scored 12 goals, the largest total of his entire career, in 35 appearances this past season, and for some time now, Manchester United was open to his sale.
Taking that stance into consideration, the Red Devils’ decision to send him out on loan was likely an effort to beef up his value in the eyes of transfer prospects.
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Though Nani needed to gain more consistent playing while at United, he has moved on from Old Trafford. Relishing his past actions, he is currently primed to embark on a new stage in his career.“I really am very happy to be here now,” he said to the Fenerbahce website. “I see this as a new opportunity in my career. This is an opportunity for me to show myself. I want to be successful.
“I’ve seen all these fans coming out for me and I was really happy. I want to show them my best football. I always do the best that I can.”
“Fenerbahce are a club I have always known. Fener is a club that aims high. With the national team I play with Bruno Alves and Raul Meireles and it is very nice for me to come here and feel like I have family. I hope I can quickly fit in.”
The winger’s pace and skill on the ball will most certainly be appreciated on Fenerbahce, a second-place finisher in the Super Lig, and the team having fellow countrymen--Alves and Meireles--should help Nani get acclimated to life more quickly.
As far as turning around his career, Nani is on the brink of 30 years old--no longer a young gun--but at Sporting, he witnessed a bit of a reinvigoration. He has the power to turn things around, albeit outside of the prominent Premier League.