Manchester City have confirmed Nathan Ake’s exit as the defender joins Fenerbahce in a move worth an initial £7m.
The Turkish giants announced on Friday they had secured a deal for the 31-year-old Netherlands defender, but the timing of that statement left City surprised as club sources insisted the deal was not yet fully complete.
A day later City have announced Ake’s departure, ending a six-year spell at the club during which the left-sided defender won four Premier League titles, the Champions League, two FA Cups and two Carabao Cups.
The fee for Ake could rise to £8.5m with add-ons.
“It’s been a privilege to represent Manchester City over the past six years and I’m so grateful to have been part of a special team,” Ake said.
“I’ve grown so much here, as a player and a person, and I’m thankful for the time I’ve had at the club.
“I’ll always cherish the memories, particularly of winning the treble, being part of all four Premier League titles in a side that made history and triumphing in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in my final season at the Club.
“While I’m moving on, I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved together and City will always be special to me.”
Ake, a £41m signing from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020, had one season left on the four-year contract he signed following City’s Champions League success in the summer of 2023.
Ake played in three of the Netherlands’ four games at the World Cup, starting two, but was replaced in the 71st minute of their last-32 tie against Morocco, which ended in a penalty shootout defeat on Tuesday.
Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain (above right) has signed a new one-year contract to stay at Celtic.
The former Arsenal and Liverpool midfielder, capped 35 times by England, joined on a short-term deal in February after being released by Besiktas last summer, impressing in a Celtic shirt as he helped them to a league and cup double.
Oxlade-Chamberlain, 32, made 12 appearances, scoring two goals including a match-winning strike on debut against Livingston.
“I’m delighted to be staying at Celtic for another year,” Oxlade-Chamberlain said.
“It was an incredible time last season and to be part of that success in winning the league and Scottish Cup was so special.
“I’m really excited to be back and I’m looking forward to meeting up with the boys and getting to work ahead of what will hopefully be another successful season.”
Oxlade-Chamberlain is now due to join up with Martin O’Neill’s squad for a training camp in Portugal next week, which comes after their first pre-season match of the summer against Shelbourne at Tolka Park on Tuesday.