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Portuguese forward Rafael Leao has signed a four-year contract with Galatasaray, the Istanbul-based Super Lig champions, and said he joined the club to compete for another title.
Leao put pen to paper on the deal alongside Galatasaray Chairman Dursun Özbek and Galatasaray Sportif AS Vice Chairperson Abdullah Kavukcu, then spoke to the club's in-house channel, GS TV.
"Galatasaray have been working since June to bring me here. I thank them for their interest," Leao said.
"Galatasaray are a very big club. They were champions again last season. I am here to be a champion again. There is a very big team here, and I want to contribute."
Leao also thanked supporters who greeted him at the airport on arrival. "I want to tell our supporters that I want to give them enjoyment and contribute to the team with goals and assists. I am very happy to be with them," he said.
Ozbek said Galatasaray had pursued Leao since June and expects him to make an impact in the team's UEFA Champions League matches this season.
"We worked since June to bring him to Galatasaray. He is now a Galatasaray player. He will add strength to the team. I believe Leao will have a big impact in our Champions League matches," Ozbek said. "I welcome him to Galatasaray. I hope he will serve the club for many years with great contributions, and I wish him success."
Kavukcu noted that Leao's name means "lion" in Portuguese, framing the signing as the player joining a club whose emblem and nickname are tied to lions. He said the transfer followed a long negotiation period.
"Leao's name means lion in Portuguese. The lion found its den and came to Galatasaray. This was a transfer we worked on for a long time, always at the table with my chairman.
We are very happy it is complete," Kavukcu said. "He is wearing number 27. We will win the 27th championship, and it will be our fifth consecutive title. That is our goal. I welcome him again."
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