Turkish giants Besiktas on Friday announced the signing of the Gambia national team captain Omar Colley for a fee of £2.3 million from Italian side Sampdoria.

The 30-year-old defender put pen on paper a deal that will keep him in Istanbul until June 2025 with an option for an additional year.
Colley has played in a total of 136 matches for Sampdoria since joining them in 2018.

He scored three goals and assisted once in all competitions.
Until this move, the Scorpions’ skipper has been heavily linked with several English Premier League clubs, with Newcastle United and Fulham FC recently showing interest.

Colley has reportedly rejected various approaches from other Seria A and B clubs this season, such as Cremonese, AC Monza, and Cagliari, before moving to the Black Eagles.

His move to the 21 times Turkish champions, who are also regular participants in Europe — means the presence of Scorpions players in Turkey will add up to 5 players — having Ali Sowe in Ankaragücü, Ebrima Colley in Karagümrük, Pa Dibba in Eyüpspor, and Lamin Jallow in Adanaspor.

Besiktas becomes Omar Colley’s fifth club in Europe after previously wearing the colors of Djurgården IF in Sweden, Kups in Finland, Genk in Belgium, and Sampdoria.