Your whistle-stop guide to the latest Premier League arrivals
Name: Nuri Şahin
Age: 23
Position: Central midfielder
Signed from: Real Madrid
Fee: Season-long loan deal
Did you know?
Despite being born in West Germany, growing up in the country, coming through the youth ranks at Borussia Dortmund and being a German citizen, Şahin has opted to represent Turkey, the nation of his heritage, at international level.
What’s the deal?
Well, when Real Madrid signed the then wunderkid last summer it was thought that the man who had lit up the German Bundesliga and Dutch Eredivisie since he was 16 would grow into the complete player under Jose Mourinho.
But after seeing the extreme competition for places limit his playing time, the Spanish champions have allowed their highly-rated youngster out on loan for a season. Liverpool won a battle with Premier League rivals Arsenal for his signature after agreeing to pay a larger chunk of his £115,000-a-week wages.
What do they say?
“It makes me proud to have joined such a big club like Liverpool. After the first conversation we had, I was left impressed by [manager] Brendan Rodgers. He told me about how he wants to play football and what the goals are he wants to reach with Liverpool.
Şahin.
“Nuri Sahin is a player with great technique and motivation and someone who will fit in smoothly to our playing model.”
Brendan Rodgers
“One of the greatest talents in European football under 18.”
Arsene Wenger, impressed by a young Şahin at the 2005 Under 17 World Cup in Peru.
“Şahin is a huge talent. There’s absolutely no doubt about that. He’s still pretty young and has plenty of time to think about his career. I have to admit that he’s been developing very well recently. Nuri is a player of extraordinary quality.”
Turkey boss Guus Hiddink, February 2011.
“I think that Real Madrid have made a good purchase. I can see him playing alongside Xabi Alonso.”
Former Dortmund team-mate Lucas Barrios last summer on Şahin’ move to Madrid.
