Hajrović switches to Galatasaray

Bosnia and Herzegovina winger Izet Hajrović has joined Galatasaray AŞ from Grasshopper Club, signing a four-and-a-half-year contract after moving for a €3.5m transfer fee.

The 22-year-old, who had been playing alongside his brother Sead at Grasshoppers, has switched to Istanbul after undergoing medical tests on Tuesday. "I knew a lot of things about Galatasaray when I was a child," said Hajrović, who was born in Switzerland but received permission from FIFA to represent Bosnia and Herzegovina. "Galatasaray are a club with a great history. I am very happy to be here."

He added: "I know some Turkish words. We Bosnians are used to the language and I am also a Muslim so the atmosphere will be familiar for me."

Hajrović has spent his career so far with Grasshoppers, scoring 20 goals in 91 Swiss Super League appearances, and featuring for the Zurich side in this season's UEFA Europa League group stage. He made the first of his four outings for Bosnia and Herzegovina in September, notching his maiden goal from 25 metres with his first touch in a 2-1 win in Slovakia in his second game.

Hajrović's international coach Safet Sušić is pleased with the player's decision to head to Turkey, explaining: "Now he will have to fight for his place in the team because the competition is very strong. Galatasaray have great players like Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder. The good thing for Hajrović is he can play in more than one position, in midfield or as a striker."

Galatasaray face Chelsea FC in the UEFA Champions League round of 16 on 26 February and 18 March.