Stars of Napoli's Mertens, Arsenal's Torreira join Türkiye's Galatasaray

Dries Mertens and Lucas Torreira landed in Türkiye on weekend and were welcomed like superstars by the Galatasaray fans.

Dries Mertens and Lucas Torreira landed in Türkiye on weekend and were welcomed like superstars by the Galatasaray fans. (AA)

Galatasaray has announced that Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira and Belgian attacker Dries Mertens have both joined the Turkish club.

According to the Istanbul team’s website, the Lions will pay €6 million ($6.1 million) to English side Arsenal for Torreira, who signed a contract with Galatasaray for four seasons, and €2.75 million ($2.8 million) per season to the Uruguayan player.

"I'm very happy with the decision I made, it was a well-thought one," the 26-year-old Torreira told the club's TV.

"The most important thing is to try to get used to the city, also to get to know the club, my team mates. I want to train already," he added.

Torreira, who joined Premier League club Arsenal in 2018, formerly made appearances for Atletico Madrid (2020-2021) and Fiorentina (2021-2022) on loan. The 26-year-old also has 39 caps for the Uruguayan national team so far.

Galatasaray Club signed a 4-year contract with Uruguayan midfielder Lucas Torreira. (AA)

'Happy and excited'

Mertens, on the other hand, signed with the Lions for one year (with another optional year) and will get €2.9 million ($2.96 million) per season and €1.1 million ($1.12 million) as a signing fee.

"It was an honour to get an offer from Galatasaray," Mertens said in a Twitter post.

"I'm happy and excited."

Belgium national Mertens, who has 21 goals in 105 caps, played for Dutch clubs PSV Eindhoven and Utrecht before joining Serie A team Napoli.

The 35-year-old Martens bagged two Italian Cups (2014, 2020) with the Blues, where the versatile winger became the club's record goalscorer.

Fans of the record 22-times Turkish champions welcomed the two players at an airport on Saturday as they arrived for final medical checks.

Galatasaray signed a 1+1 year contract with Belgian striker Dries Mertens. (AA)

Source: TRTWorld and agencies

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Republicans join Democrats in praising Biden for death of al Qaeda leader Zawahiri

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Lawmakers on both sides of the aisle praised the White House on Monday after it was announced that the leader of al Qaeda, Ayman al Zawahiri, had been killed by a drone strike in Afghanistan. 

Republicans and Democrats, alike, were quick to commend President Biden for taking action against the 71-year-old terrorist. Zawahiri, a one-time surgeon, had led al-Qaeda since the 2011 death of Osama bin Laden. 

BIDEN ADMIN WARNED NOT TO WITHHOLD AFTER-ACTION REPORTS ON BOTCHED AFGHANISTAN WITHDRAWAL

"Congratulations to the Biden Administration and all those brave Americans involved in the successful counterterrorism operation against al Qaeda leader Ayman al Zawahiri," said Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C. "This is a significant event in the War on Terror. All those involved have delivered a strong message that America never forgets." 

FILE - Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., speaks during a news conference outside the Supreme Court in Washington, Thursday, April 22, 2021. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh, File)

Zawahiri, who helped plan the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, was killed on Saturday by a drone strike in Kabul. 

"The news of the successful hit on Ayman al-Zawahiri stopped me in my tracks," said Rep. Elissa Slotkin, D-Mich. "Targeting one senior leader does not end the capacity of an organization to attack, but it does send a message that, while it may take years, we do not forget those who attack us. I commend the President for making the tough call and the national security team for this success.

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, echoed the sentiment in a statement released to the public. 

"All Americans will breathe easier today knowing Ayman al-Zawahiri, the leader of Al-Qaeda, has been eliminated," said Cruz. "This strike should be a message to terrorists near and far: if you conspire to kill Americans, we will find and kill you."

Sen. Ted Cruz, R-Texas, speaks during the Leadership Forum at the National Rifle Association Annual Meeting at the George R. Brown Convention Center Friday, May 27, 2022, in Houston. (AP Photo/Michael Wyke)

Although much of the response was positive, it was still not totally devoid of partisanship. 

Some Democrats were quick to use the moment to score political points against Republicans, particularly former President Donald Trump. 

"Trump recently hosted a Saudi-backed golf tournament and ridiculously said that nobody has gotten to the bottom of 9/11," said Rep. Ted Lieu, D-Calif. "Under Joe Biden, the United States killed Ayman al Zawahiri, one of the master planners of 9/11." 

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A few Republicans, meanwhile, called the "victory lap" being taken by Biden and lawmakers ridiculous. 

"Zawahiri is credited in planning 9-11 …. but most Americans don’t know or have forgotten who he is, but once they know they will be glad he’s dead," said Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-GA. "But Joe’s victory lap is ridiculous." 

Haris Alic covers Congress and politics for Fox News Digital. You can contact him at haris.alic@fox.com or follow him on Twitter at @realharisalic.

Source https://www.globalcourant.com/republicans-join-democrats-in-praising-biden-for-death-of-al-qaeda-leader-zawahiri/?feed_id=5342&_unique_id=62e8678e09dd3