© Isosport
Six months after his transfer to Westerlo, Halil Akbunar is already closing the door of the dressing room in ‘t Kuipje. The flank player reached an agreement for 3.5 years with the Turkish second division team Eyüpspor.
The 29-year-old Akbunar came over from the Turkish Göztepe last summer and was rented for one season with a purchase option. The Kempen adventure of the sharp flank player is short-lived, however. Akbunar reached an agreement for 3.5 years with the Turkish second division club Eyüpspor and is boarding a plane to Turkey today.
The return to Turkey is remarkable. In November, Akbunar indicated that he preferred a transfer to Europe over Turkish interest last summer because it was easier for him to find “mental peace” here as a footballer. In addition, his wife and daughters Ela (5) and Yaz (3) came to Belgium permanently last month. “If my wife and children get used to it here, I would like to stay in Europe for a few more years,” Akbunar said in November.
A few weeks later, the call of the fatherland seems too great. With Eyüpspor, Akbunar opts for the leader in the Turkish second division with some notable names in the dressing room. Alpaslan Özturk (ex-Beerschot and Standard), Stéphan Badji (ex-Anderlecht), Ryan Babel and 39-time Turkish international Umut Bulut will be his future teammates.
Akbunar made fifteen appearances for Westerlo this season, scoring three goals and four assists. He experienced his highlight on September 11 with the winning goal against Anderlecht.
© BELGIUM
