Kewell ready for new start

Australian expected to sign three-year deal with Galatasaray

Last updated: 5th July 2008

australia harry kewell

Kewell: Thrilled to bits

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Harry Kewell is 'looking forward' to a new challenge after arriving in Turkey to discuss a move to Galatasaray.

The Turkish champions had announced the Australian's signing on a three-year deal on Thursday night, only for Kewell's agent to say the winger had not yet made a decision on his future.

However, Kewell is now in the Turkish capital Istanbul and is tipped to sign his contract after undergoing a medical.

The 29-year-old, who left Liverpool at the end of last season, has been impressed by the setup at Galatasaray.

Excited

"I'm excited, I'm thrilled to bits," Kewell told the club's official website. "I'm looking forward to the new challenge.

"I can't wait to meet up with the team and to get going. It's something different.

"There's a lot of talk about the Turkish league. It's coming up in the world and the national team has done well in the last couple of major tournaments.

"There's a lot of young talent here, and it's different, that's what I'm looking forward to - a new challenge."

Respect

Kewell was sent off against Galatasaray during his time at Leeds United in 2000, but is not expecting that dismissal to be an issue.

He added: "What happened in the past is in the past. It's a sad part of football history. It's not to dwell on the past, we've got to look forward.

"We all love the game so much and I'm here because I respect the game and I want to play the game.

"Josip Skoko, who played with Genclerbirligi at the time, is one of my close mates and he told me there is a really high standard of football and that's why I came here."