Basturk has made 49 appearances for Turkey

Blackburn have completed the signing of Turkey midfielder Yildiray Basturk from German club Stuttgart - initially on a deal until the end of the season.

The 31-year-old has almost 14 years of Bundesliga experience, along with 49 international caps for Turkey.

Germany-born Basturk was part of the Bayer Leverkusen team that lost the Champions League final 2-1 to Spanish giants Real Madrid in 2002.

In the same year, he helped Turkey to third place at the World Cup.

Basturk told Blackburn's official website that his compatriot and former Ewood Park favourite Tugay influenced his decision to make the switch.

"I had contact with Blackburn for three months and I spoke to Tugay and he said it is a very good club and to come here and try the last few years," he said.

606: DEBATE I remember him impressing me years ago and if he's still the same player, it's a very good signing Rover-the-Top

"He always told me how good a club Blackburn is and for the last three or four weeks he has often told me I should take this chance."

And Rovers' latest signing revealed that he plans to meet Tugay, who retired last year, to help him "settle in".

Basturk earned his reputation as a creative midfielder following three seasons with Leverkusen before moving to Hertha Berlin in 2004.

He then joined German champions Stuttgart in July 2007, making 30 appearances.

Blackburn, meanwhile, look set to lose Benni McCarthy after agreeing an undisclosed fee with West Ham for the South Africa striker.

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version