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Sam Adekugbe’s world was shaken — literally — two Sundays ago in Turkey.
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But word came Wednesday that the Calgarian has found solid footing once again in the soccer world.
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The 28-year-old defender is joining Super Lig giant Galatasaray S.K., on loan from Hatayspor — which had its footy season abruptly end due to last week’s first of two deadly earthquakes in the region.
The city of Antakya was rocked by the 7.8-magnitude quake, and Hatayspor’s star winger Christian Atsu and the club’s sporting director, Taner Savut, were listed among the missing believed to be under rubble.
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Adekugbe was unharmed by the disaster and safely transferred to Istanbul, where he wasn’t sure what his future held.
“It’s just taking time to process things,” Adekugbe said last Thursday. “I’m really not sure what the plan is.”
With this move to Istanbul-based Galatasaray — the Turkish league’s top team — Canada’s national team member is now slated to get back on the field.
The loan from Hatayspor is until the end of the season, but reports indicate the deal includes an option for Galatasaray — a perennial UEFA Champions League contender — to purchase his contract.
Sources say there is also interest by one or more Major League Soccer sides to acquire the services of Adekugbe.