Besiktas release statement after tearing up former Manchester United star Eric Bailly's contract
The Ivorian defender signed for the club in September but was banished this month after a poor start to life in Turkey
Former Manchester United defender Eric Bailly has had his contract terminated by Besiktas less than four months after joining the club.
Earlier this month, following a defeat to rivals Fenerbahce, Besiktas announced they had excluded five of their players. The statement read: "Information from our club. Five players from our Football A Team have been excluded from the squad.
"Our Football Teams General Coordinator Samet Aybaba has announced that Vincent Aboubakar, Valentin Rosier, Eric Bailly, Rachid Ghezzal and Jean Onana were excluded from the squad due to poor performance and incompatibility within the team." In the aftermath, Bailly's agent Rafaela Pimenta described her confusion at the club's decision.
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"We are shocked and it took us by surprise," she said. "We are preparing our reaction since we know Eric has done nothing wrong. The player's rights are being violated and we will make sure to protect him."
With the situation seemingly impossible to rectify, Besiktas announced on Friday the centre-back was no longer associated with the club. This read: "Eric Bailly’s contract has been terminated by mutual agreement. We wish Eric Bailly success in his career."
Prior to his switch to Turkey, the 29-year-old had spent seven seasons at United but was only a regular during his first campaign in the north west. He spent the 2022/23 season on loan at Marseille however this ended with the French side reluctant to sign the defender permanently.
Bailly only made eight appearances for the Turkish club, the most recent of which being in the 3-1 defeat to Fenerbahce.
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