Turkish right-back Celik moves to Roma from Lille

ISTANBUL

Roma inked a four-year contract with Turkish right-back Zeki Celik, the Serie A club announced on Tuesday.

"It's an honor for me to play for such a big club; I have big ambitions and I want to help this team be successful," Celik said after the signing ceremony.

"I feel focused and ready – I will never let up and you will always see me fighting for everything out there on the pitch," he added.

He formerly made appearances for Bursaspor, Karacabeyspor, and Istanbulspor in Türkiye before coming to France in 2018 to join Lille.

Celik, who scored eight goals in 143 matches for Lille, helped his team win the French Ligue 1 title and the French Super Cup in the 2020-21 season.

The 25-year-old has 32 caps for the Turkish national team, scoring two goals.

He will wear the No. 19 jersey for the Italian club.