Tugay sets leaving date

01 May 2009 12:28
Veteran Blackburn midfielder Tugay has announced his intention to leave the club at the end of the season.[LNB] Rovers boss Sam Allardyce has revealed the news that the Turkish star is set to call time on his Ewood Park career.[LNB]The 38-year-old has spent the last eight years with Blackburn, having arrived from Rangers for £1.3million in 2001.[LNB]That has proven to be a snip for Rovers, with the cultured playmaker becoming a firm fans' favourite during his time in Lancashire.[LNB]"We will say farewell at the end of the season and thank you very much for what you have done for Blackburn," said Allardyce.[LNB]"Certainly if we remain in the Premier League, Tugay can bow out gracefully after playing at the top level most of the time.[LNB]"He has had a fantastic career. But at 38 and the ever-increasing demands of the Premier League, certainly in a physical sense, it means you cannot go on forever.[LNB]"We don't really want to go into anybody's negotiations, but seems as though he came and knocked on my door and asked me, we talked about it. He is now thinking about retiring. [LNB]"He has been a great servant to the club and if there is going to be a testimonial I don't have a problem with that."[LNB]

Source: SKY_Sports