Former Manchester City defender Gael Clichy joins Istanbul Basaksehir on a free transfer

Gael Clichy has joined Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir on a free transfer following his release from Manchester City this summer.

The Frenchman, who arrived at the Etihad Stadium in 2011 from fellow Premier League side Arsenal, was one of many to leave City as part of a defensive exodus this summer – thus ending his six-year exodus with the club.

Confirmation of this transfer was announced via Başakşehir’s official Twitter account this evening and it has been widely reported that the 31-year-old has signed a three-year deal with last season’s Turkish Super Lig runners-up.

This move will enable the left-back to link up with former Gunners and City teammate Emmanuel Adebayor, who signed for Basaksehir in January after a failed stint with Crystal Palace in the Premier League during the 2015/2016 campaign.

Clichy played 25 times in the Premier League last season for City, of which 21 saw him feature in the full 90 minutes, but Pep Guardiola’s desire for a squad overhaul saw him allowed to leave at the end of his contract.