Blackburn clinch Basturk from Stuttgart after recommendation by Tugay

27 January 2010 21:25
Blackburn Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has swooped for Turkish international Yildiray Basturk after the midfielder was convinced to move from Stuttgart by former Rovers favourite Tugay.[LNB]Sportsmail exclusively revealed Rovers boss Sam Allardyce was keen on the Turkey midfielder last week.[LNB]Blackburn are also interested in Galatasaray midfielder Mehmet Topaland Stoke striker James Beattie. They will sign trialist Amine Linganzifrom St Etienne on Thursday.[LNB] Get me Rover there: Yildiray Basturk (centre) in action for Stuttgart[LNB]  Basturk has signed on a permanent deal for an initial six months andif he impresses Blackburn will look to offer him a new contract in thesummer.[LNB]The 31-year-old, born in Germany and who has playedhis entire professional career in the Bundesliga, told Rovers PlayerTV: 'I had contact with Blackburn for three months and I spoke toTugay, and he said it was a very good club and to come here and try it.[LNB]'I played about 50 games for the national team with Tugay and he always told me what a good club Blackburn is, and over the last three or four weeks he told me I should take this chance.[LNB]'I know how the people here love him, and I will meet him in the next few days and he will help me settle in.'[LNB]Basturk has a wealth of experience with both club and country, having won 49 caps for his national team and featured in the side that finished third at the 2002 World Cup.[LNB]The midfielder previously played for the likes of Bayer Leverkusen - with whom he reached the 2002 Champions League final, where they lost to Real Madrid - and Hertha Berlin before moving to Stuttgart in 2007.[LNB] It's a Dunn deal! Blackburn Rovers midfielder David pens new contractHammer time for Benni McCarthy after striker is blasted by Sam Allardyce Turkish delight: Sam Allardyce eyes experienced Turkish playmaker Yildiray BasturkTHE LIST: Where does Tugay rank on our countdown of Golden Oldies?BLACKBURN ROVERS FC

Source: Daily_Mail