Saturday, 21st September, 2013
Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has saluted the renewing of Arda Turan's contract at the club as "huge" news.
At one point over the summer Turan seemed set for the Vicente Calderon exit door, with his agent claiming Arsenal and Liverpool were making moves to sign the winger, while his former club Galatasaray were always open to tempting him back to Turkey.
Turan though stayed put and only recently signed a new contract with Atletico Madrid running until 2017.
And coach Simeone could not be happier to have secured the services of the Turkey international amid fierce interest.
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"It's huge", he told a press conference.
"He is an important player in the group. It makes me happy that the club renew [contracts with] players who are helping the team to grow.
"The club keep valued and important players."
Turan made 32 appearances in La Liga last term as Atletico Madrid finished third.
He scored five goals and provided six assists in the Spanish top flight for Simeone's side in 2012/13.
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