Besiktas snap up Ilie

Romanian striker Adrian Ilie has signed a six-month contract with defending Turkish champions Besiktas JK.

Two-year option
There is an option in the deal which allows the 29-year-old, who played for Galatasaray SK in the 1996/97 season, to renew the agreement for a further two years should he impress during the remainder of the campaign with the Istanbul team.

Break over
Ilie said he is delighted to be returning to competitive football six months after parting company with Spanish side Deportivo Alavés. "I will work hard to find myself a place in the squad. I thank coach Mircea Lucescu and the board for putting their faith in me. I had an operation nearly six months ago but have now been training with several clubs in Romania for six weeks."

Acquaintance renewed
The forward scored six goals in 22 matches in his last season with Alavés, a club he joined following a largely successful four-year spell with Valencia CF. Besiktas, the undefeated Turkish league leaders, face Valencia in the third round of the UEFA Cup on 26 February.