Sneijder: I feel at home in Turkey

Jan 24, 2013 5:30:00 PM

The new Galatasaray signing insists he is excited to get started having completed the switch from Inter, while new team-mate Hamit Altintop admits settling in can be tough

Wesley Sneijder has revealed he already feels at home in Turkey.

The Netherlands midfielder made the move to Galatasaray from Inter this week in a €7.5 million switch, and spoke of his excitement to get started with his new team.

"Such an amazing welcome message could only be seen here," he told Galatasaray TV. "My wife Yolanthe said, 'Yes, we have absolutely made the right decision'.

"Since that welcome, we’ve felt at home and I think that's the most important thing. I cannot wait to play. I'm very happy here."

Sneijder’s new team-mate, Hamit Altintop, who moved from Real Madrid last summer, has admitted that settling in at the club was not easy for him.

"I already knew [head coach] Fatih Terim's working style before," the 30-year-old Turkey international told Uefa.com.

"I know his system and the way he manages a team [from the national squad], so I really don't think I had any trouble adapting. But sure, outside of football, you have to adapt to a different atmosphere.

"Additionally I am in a new country. Even though I am Turkish and even though I know the city, living here is quite different.

"Even though everything is not perfect yet, I believe that both the team and I are on the right track and I'm hopeful about our prospects."

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