Fans await star debuts as Turkish Super League begins

By Can Erozden

ANKARA 

The new season at Turkey's highest football division Spor Toto Super League will kick off August 14, Friday as anticipation builds among football fans in Turkey looking forward to see the clubs' new star signings.

Many football stars such as Dutch forward Robin van Persie, Portuguese winger Nani, German forwards Lukas Podolski and Mario Gomez, and Cameroonian forward Samuel Eto'o will make their debut in Turkish Super League this season.

The new season will be dedicated to one of the deceased chairs of Turkish Football Federation (TFF), Hasan Dogan. Dogan died of heart attack during his term in 2008.

The previous season (2014-15) was dedicated to former Besiktas player and chairman Suleyman Seba who died on August 13, 2014 at the age of 88.

Fenerbahce bring in Manchester United stars

Having lost the league title to their archrivals Galatasaray last season, Fenerbahce signed many players to have a better shot at the title this season.

The Istanbul club purchased Manchester United stars, Dutch forward van Persie and Portuguese winger Nani. In addition to former "Red Devils" players, Fenerbahce bought Danish center-back Simon Kjaer from Lille, Brazilian defensive midfielder Josef de Souza from Sao Paulo and Porto goalkeeper Fabiano.

In addition, they signed Bursaspor's Brazilian striker Fernandao, who was the top scorer of the last season in Turkey with 22 goals. Moreover, Slovakian winger Miroslav Stoch returned to the club after playing abroad on loan.

Fenerbahce parted ways with many regulars. Dutch forward Dirk Kuyt moved to Feyenoord on free transfer. Nigerian striker Emmanuel Emenike was loaned to UAE team Al-Ain for a season. Turkish powerhouse in midfielder, Emre Belozoglu left the club for another Turkish team Medipol Basaksehir after his deal with the Yellow Canaries expired.

Fenerbahce were handed defeat by Ukrainian giants Shakhtar Donetsk on 3-0 aggregate in UEFA Champions League third qualifying round on Wednesday night. Fenerbahce are heading out to the second tier UEFA Europa League's playoffs.

Galatasaray add German forward to their squad

Defending Spor Toto Super League winners, Galatasaray transferred Arsenal's German international Lukas Podolski (in the picture) to strengthen their forward line.

Galatasaray, who are the most time winners of the Turkish Super League with 20 league titles, managed to keep some key players including Uruguayan goalkeeper Fernando Muslera, Dutch attacking midfielder Wesley Sneijder and Turkish striker Burak Yilmaz.

One of the integral parts of the team, Brazilian defensive midfielder Felipe Melo is rumored to be leaving Galatasaray this summer. Latest league champions Galatasaray directly qualify for the Europe's top-tier international tournament UEFA Champions League’s group stage.

Besiktas reinforce their team with Gomez and Quaresma

Having completed the last season in third place in the league table, Besiktas signed several players this summer, such as Brazilian center-back Rhodolfo from Gremio, German right-back Andreas Beck from Hoffenheim, and German striker Mario Gomez from Italian Serie A team Fiorentina.

The Black Eagles’ former star, Ricardo Quaresma returned to his former club from Porto.

This is Quaresma's second spell in Besiktas after signing with Besiktas in the summer of 2010. He played for Besiktas until January 2013, when he moved to the Emirati club Al-Ahli over a free transfer.

Besiktas fans' favorite, Senegalese target man Demba Ba was sold to Chinese Super League club Shanghai Shenhua. Additionally, Besiktas hot prospect, 21-year-old Turkish towering center-back Atinc Nukan was signed by German Bundesliga 2 team Red Bull Leipzig.

Within the frame of their European campaign, Besiktas will compete in UEFA Europa League group stage this season.

Newly promoted Antalyaspor sign Cameroonian Eto'o 

Antalyaspor, a new entry into the top Turkish division, transferred former Chelsea forward Samuel Eto'o this summer.

One of the top players in 2000s, 34-year-old Eto’o has played for leading European clubs including Barcelona and Inter. After short spells at English club Everton and Italian side Sampdoria last year, he will try to thrill the fans in Turkey this season.

Galatasaray goalkeeper Muslera still "the most valuable player" of the league

German-based football data information site, "Transfermarkt" says that Galatasaray goalkeeper Fernando Muslera is still “the most valuable player” of the league with a market value estimated at €17 million ($18.5 million).

The second spot is shared by a number of stars, including Fenerbahce's new signings, forward van Persie and winger Nani, and Galatasaray playmaker Sneijder. Each player's current market value is around €15 million ($16.3 million).

Fenerbahce winger Moussa Sow comes in third with a €13 million ($14.1 million) market value.

Fenerbahce becomes the most valuable team of the league

Fenerbahce is the most valuable team of the league, worth €158.2 million ($172.3 million) thanks to their new signings, van Persie, Nani, Kjaer, Souza, Fabiano, and Fernandao.

Galatasaray comes in second with €139 million ($151.4 million) and Besiktas, whose squad value is €126.5 million ($137.7 million), is in third place.

The Spor Toto Super League, in which 18 teams compete against each other, is valued at €1.01 billion ($1.10 billion).

The most valuable league in Europe is the English Premier League worth €4.10 billion ($4.46 billion). It is followed Spain’s La Liga, worth €3.08 billion ($3.35 billion). Italian Serie A has a €2.35 billion ($2.55 billion) value and German Bundesliga €2.30 billion ($2.50 billion), while French Ligue 1 is worth €1.35 billion ($1.47 billion).

Spor Toto Super League's opening week fixtures:

August 14, Friday:

Fenerbahce-Eskisehirspor

August 15, Saturday:

Trabzonspor-Bursaspor

Medipol Basaksehir-Antalyaspor

Medicana Sivasspor-Galatasaray

August 16, Sunday:

Osmanlispor-Kayserispor

Torku Konyaspor-Akhisar Belediyespor

Gaziantepspor-Kasimpasa

Mersin Idmanyurdu-Besiktas

August 17, Monday:

Genclerbirligi-Caykur Rizespor