REPORT: Sam Adekugbe set to join Galatasaray on loan after end of Hatayspor season
Canadian international Sam Adekugbe is reportedly set to join Istanbul-based outfit Galatasaray on loan with a purchase option after his current club Hatayspor had to forfeit their season following devastating earthquakes in the region.
Adekugbe, 28, was also linked to a return to Major League Soccer according to The Athletic's Joshua Kloke, though reports out of Turkey now have the high-flying left-back staying in Turkey through to the end of the current season, with Galatasaray taking on his wages and afforded a $1.7 million buy option for the summer window.
Looks like things advanced quickly on Sam Adekugbe to Galatasaray today. Loan with option to buy
— Alexandre Gangué-Ruzic (@AlexGangueRuzic) February 15, 2023
With Hatayspor unfortunately unable to finish the season, this is a good option for the #CanMNT LB
Competition would be decent at FB - former Ligue 1 FBs Leo Dubois and Sacha Boey https://t.co/bPdL58Dyii
Adekugbe's club Hatayspor has suspended their season as destruction in the area has reduced the region to rubble. In the aftermath of the earthquake, Adekugbe flew to Istanbul to stay with Canadian international teammate Atiba Hutchinson of Besiktas.
The two spoke about their experiences during the tragedy, and called for help and support for the people affected in the region.
"There are around 150,000 people under the rubble from what we last heard. People are in really bad conditions and its really cold here, so we’re doing whatever we can to get the message to Canadians to support in any way they can by donating to the Red Cross or the locally based Ahbap campaign," Hutchinson said.
“It’s a difficult time here in Turkey. I know these people so well and what they’ve done for me and my family, the hurt and tragedy that they’re going through right now is really hard to see."
