Besiktas' new signing Ernest Poku has arrived in Istanbul

Winger Ernest Poku, with whom Besiktas has reached an agreement in principle with Bundesliga club Bayer Leverkusen, arrived in Istanbul to complete the transfer process. The private plane carrying the Ghanaian-born Dutch footballer landed at Ataturk Airport's General Aviation Terminal during the evening hours. The 22-year-old player was welcomed there by black-and-white executives Mehmet Sarımermer and Merve Öztopaloğlu, as well as fans.

Speaking to members of the press upon leaving the airport, Poku stated that he was very happy that fans had come to welcome him. The young player, who emphasized that he was fully ready physically, said he could hardly wait to take the field wearing the Besiktas jersey. Poku posed for fans, made the three-finger gesture for the cameras, and then left the airport in a private vehicle.

In an official statement made by the club, it was announced that an agreement in principle had been reached with both the player himself and his club, Bayer Leverkusen. According to reports, Besiktas will pay the German club a loan fee of 3.5 million euros for the transfer and will sign a 1+4 year contract with the player; the non-mandatory purchase option is said to be set at 20 million euros. Signatures are expected to be finalized following medical examinations.

Poku, who transferred to Bayer Leverkusen last season, played 45 matches and scored 5 goals in his first Bundesliga season. It has been learned that the player will wear the number 17 jersey at the black-and-white club. Once the contract process is completed, he is expected to be officially announced as Besiktas' new signing.