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Italian defender Wesley Sneijder, leaving Milan's "Inter" and moving to the Istanbul club "Galatasaray" for three years, admitted on Tuesday that he is no longer as good of a football player as he used to be. However, this does not mean that the value of the Dutchman has decreased in the market.
According to football sources, the Istanbul club paid the Italians 7.5 million euros for the move from "Inter".
Playing for "Galatasaray" until the end of the 2016 season, W. Sneijder will receive a salary of 2 million euros, and in the last season - 3.2 million euros. In addition, the Dutchman will receive a signing fee of 3.9 million euros immediately.
W. Sneijder can also earn an additional 25 thousand euros to his salary if he plays in the Istanbul team's stadium. It is believed that after playing 100 matches in the Turkish team, he will add 2.5 million euros to his bank account.
It is estimated that "Galatasaray" lost 25.5 million euros because of the Dutchman.
The Dutch national team member was unstoppable in the 2009-10 season. He helped his former club win the UEFA Champions League trophy and reach the final of the 2010 World Cup with the national team.
"Why didn't I join a club that is among the top five in the world? That's because I am not currently one of the best five football players in the world," Sneijder said to De Telegraaf.
"I don't think moving to Turkey is a step back. In the 'Galatasaray' team, I will have more time on the field," added the 28-year-old Dutchman.
W. Sneijder can debut in the main Turkish champions team as early as Sunday, when "Galatasaray" will face "Besiktas" in the Istanbul derby.
