An exceptional gesture by Zaniolo. Commemorating a Turkish fan. “We won’t forget you”

In the last hours of the winter transfer window, Roma got rid of Nicolo Zaniolo, who until recently was considered a great talent, but has recently become simply a problem for Jose Mourinho. The 23-year-old Italian representative went to Galatasaray Istanbul, although he was previously tempted by, among others Bournemouth. The Turkish club paid Roma only 15 million euros. Roma could get almost twice as much if the Italian fulfills certain bonuses in his contract, which will run until the end of 2027. In the leader of the Turkish league will meet m.in. Dries Mertens (the best scorer in the history of Napoli) or Mauro Icardi (former striker of Inter and Paris Saint Germain). It is also known what number he will appear with.

Zaniolo: We won’t forget any of you

Zaniolo will wear the number 17 shirt. It is a tribute to a 17-year-old boy who died in the earthquake that paralyzed Turkey and Syria. This seventeen-year-old was Muhammed Emin Ozkan, a Galata fan who welcomed Zaniolo’s transfer with great enthusiasm on social media. Unfortunately, he did not live to see his debut.

“I am very sorry for Muhammad and the whole Turkish people. I think with great respect of those who lost their lives here. We will not forget any of you,” the Italian international said in a video published by the Turkish club.

This is not the only nice gesture by Zaniolo. The Italian also helped the victims of the tragedy on the spot.

For now, it is not known when he will debut, because the Turkish league has suspended the games. According to the AFP agency, citing representatives of the authorities and medical services, the number of victims of the Monday (6 February) earthquake exceeded 16,000. people, including almost 13,000 from Turkey itself. The death toll from the three quakes is rising every hour, and rescuers are running out of time to reach those buried under the rubble.