Hundreds of Galatasaray fans greet Bafetimbi Gomis in traditional Turkish style at airport
June 29, 2017
afetimbi Gomis was treated to a hero's welcome on Wednesday after arriving in Turkey ahead of his £3m move to Galatasaray.
In what has now become a Turkish football tradition, hundreds of Gala fans flocked to greet the French striker as he touched down at Istanbul's Ataturk airport.
After initially appearing flattered by the unprecedented attention he was receiving, the 31-year-old became visibly anxious as he was forced to fend off shrieking supporters in a bid to exit the airport.
As is the custom on such occasions, Gomis was draped in a club scarf before being paraded through the arrivals lounge like a long-lost relative.
Gomis' sale was confirmed in a Swansea City statement on Wednesday morning.
"Everyone at Swansea City would like to thank Bafe for his service to the club and wish him well for the future," the statement read.
Gomis scored 17 times in 71 matches for Swansea after arriving on a free transfer from Lyon in 2014.
It's just two weeks since diminutive playmaker Mathieu Valbuena was mobbed by Fenerbahce fans after completing a £2m move to Galatasaray's Istanbul rivals, Fenerbahce.
Standing at just 5 feet 5 inches, Valbuena looked like a vulnerable child as he was ushered through the airport by a melee of Fener supporters.
Once safely in his car the former Marseille midfielder held his new club's scarf aloft while waving to fans through a car sunroof.
Robin van Persie was forced to endure a similar ordeal in 2014 when he first arrived in Turkey ahead of his £4m move to Fenerbahce.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker was forcibly draped in blue and yellow scarfs in an experience the Dutchman described as 'unique'.
"I have seen a lot over the years but I have never seen anything like this. I hope that I'm going to make you happy. It's an honour," said Van Persie.
In 2009, around 3,000 Ankaragucu supporters gathered to celebrate the arrival of England international, Darius Vassell.
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