Standard de Liege’s French striker Maboula Lukunku, has joined Galatasaray in a deal worth €2.8m.

Lukunku, who has signed a three-and-a-half year contract, was attracted to Turkish football in general and Galatasaray in particular.

“I was very interested by Galatasaray because of the prestige of the club and also the results of Turkish football in general,” he said.

“Galatasaray are a top club and (coach) Fatih Terim wanted to have me. I am very happy to go there and especially happy to leave Standard whereI had problems.

“The national team of Turkey has become very strong like it showed in the last (FIFA) World Cup.”

The 26-year-old Lukunku, who joined Standard from Monaco in 1998, scored 39 goals in 98 Eerst Klasse appearances. .