Nonda leaves Roma for Galatasaray

Galatasaray SK have strengthened their attacking options for the UEFA Cup by bringing in DR Congo striker Shabani Nonda from Italian side AS Roma.

Support act
The 30-year-old will provide support for the Istanbul club's established forwards Ümit Karan and Hakan Şükür having agreed a two-year contract. Galatasaray had been short of strikers after coach Karl-Heinz Feldkamp withdrew Necati Ateş from his first-team squad while allowing Hasan Kabze to join Russia's FC Rubin Kazan. "I feel proud to play for such a great club," said Nonda. "I couldn't get enough playing time at Roma and really wanted to come to Galatasaray."

European career
Nonda started his European career in Switzerland with FC Zürich in 1995, before moving to France, signing for Stade Rennais FC in 1998 and AS Monaco FC two years later. He scored 56 goals in 115 league games for Monaco and also played in their 2004 UEFA Champions League final defeat by FC Porto before transferring to Roma the following summer. He spent last season on loan at Blackburn Rovers FC. Galatasaray will play FC Sion in the UEFA Cup first round following today's draw in Monaco. Meanwhile, ex-Galatasaray midfielder Ergün Penbe, 35, has accepted an initial one-year deal with Gaziantepspor.