Süper Lig: Antalyaspor presents Andros Townsend – transfer ban ended

A month of uncertainty

Andros Townsend’s fear and trembling is over: One day before the end of the transfer window in the Süper Lig, Antalyaspor announced the signing of the former England international late on Thursday evening. The 33-year-old winger, who comes from Luton Town, signed a two-year contract.

A month ago, all parties agreed on the transfer, but a transfer ban imposed by FIFA due to existing disadvantages for former players prevented registration. “I’m stuck at Antalyaspor and I’m just training, I don’t know who I belong to, I don’t know where my contract is,” Townsend told the BBC at the end of August. “Three days before the start of the season in Luton, I got a call from Antalyaspor saying: we have an offer for you, but you only have 24 hours to respond because we’re getting a transfer ban and we have to confirm you beforehand.” However, the deadline was missed by a few hours.

“There were so many warning signs, you wouldn’t believe it.” But something told me that this was the right step for me to experience something new in Antalya, a beautiful city right on the beach. “Something told me that I should do it,” explained Townsend. Now the happy ending: Antalyaspor’s transfer ban has been lifted. They worked day and night for this, emphasized club president Sinan Boztepe, and announced further new signings: “On the last day of the transfer window, we will be fully prepared to prove one or two more players for our colors.”

For Townsend, it is the first stop outside his native England. The thirteen-time international played 32 games for Luton Town in one year, contributing one goal and three assists. “We knew that my transfer would be a difficult process, but the club lifted the transfer ban in a short time.” “Everyone tried very hard,” said Townsend. “Our goal this year should be to get into the top six.” In training, in the dressing room and in the game, I see that we have a quality that can do better than last year.”