Lukas Podolski completes move to Galatasaray from Arsenal on three-year deal

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Lukas Podolski has completed his transfer to Galatasaray
Ex-Arsenal forward landed in Istanbul on Saturday to finalise his move
Podolski underwent a medical and then signed his contract with the Turkish side at their Turk Telecom Arena home
The German has joined Galatasaray on a three-year deal

Published: 05:21 EST, 4 July 2015 | Updated: 05:08 EST, 6 July 2015

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Lukas Podolski put the finishing touches on his move from Arsenal to Galatasaray after undergoing a medical and signing a contract in Istanbul on Saturday.

The 30-year-old was greeted by fans at Sabiha Gokcen Airport on Saturday morning after flying in to finalise his move.

Podolski then underwent a medical before signing his three-year contract at the Turk Telecom Arena, understood to be for an initial fee of 2.5million euros (£1.8m) plus add-ons.

The club made the transfer official on Saturday afternoon despite the best efforts of Arsenal manager Arsene Wenger to convince Podolski to stay in north London.

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German international Lukas Podolski completed his switch from Arsenal to Galatasaray on Saturday

Podolski tries a Turkish tea at his contract signing ceremony at the Turk Telecom Arena

Podolski gives the thumbs up after signing a three-year deal with Galatasaray

Podolski shakes hands with Galatasaray's president Dursun Ozbek (left) after completing his move

Podolski gives a thumbs up next to a Galatasaray sign after completing his move to Turkey

The 30-year-old flew to Istanbul to put the finishing touches on his transfer to the Turkish club

Podolski touched down at Sabiha Gokcen Airport on Saturday ahead of his move to Galatasaray

'We had very good talks with Wenger,' Podolski's representative Nassim Touihri told Bild.

'He wanted to keep Lukas, but couldn’t give him a guarantee that he will be starter.

'That’s why we agreed on a transfer.'

Podolski netted 31 goals in 82 appearances for Arsenal since joining the club from Cologne in 2012.

The left-footed former Bayern Munich man was on loan at Inter Milan from Arsenal for the second half of last season, and scored one goal in 17 games in Serie A.