Volkan Demirel, Fenerbahce Agree to New Deal

Volkan Demirel, Fenerbahce Agree to New Deal
By Nathan L. Redd

As reported on Fenerbahce Worldwide nine days ago, Fenerbahce and goalkeeper Volkan Demirel have agreed on a new two-year deal to keep him in Kadikoy. The club finalized and announced the deal on Thursday. Fenerbahce has not disclosed the terms of the deal just yet.

With Rustu Recber's departure to Besiktas, the competition has lightened for Volkan with only Serdar Kulbilge to beat to re-gain his starting position. Volkan took over the #1 goalkeeping spot after Rustu Recber suffered an injury in an international friendly last fall. Despite some solid performances, he was often criticized for inconsistent performance, and Zico made the switch to Serdar Kulbilge late in the year. Volkan also took over national team duties in goal after Rustu's injury, but he was later replaced there by Turkiye Manager Fatih Terim. The 25-year-old Demirel now has the opportunity to reacquire the fans' and coaches' trust in the 2007-2008 season.

(Photo courtesy of www.fenerbahce.org)