OFFICIAL: Besiktas sign Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona

It’s official: Turkish side Besiktas have signed 31-year-old midfielder Miralem Pjanic from Barcelona on a season-long loan deal, the club announced on Thursday. Besiktas have agreed to pay one-third of Pjanic’s salary for the season and there are no loan fees, according to reports in Spain.

Pjanic joined Barça from Juventus for €60 million last summer and had very few chances with Ronald Koeman, with most of his 30 appearances coming as a substitute. The Bosnian wanted to stay and fight for a place in the team this season, but was told by the coach he was not part of the plans and decided to go to Turkey and play regular minutes.

Pjanic will still have two years remaining on his contract once he returns from the loan, and Barça will hope that he impresses at Besiktas to attract more suitors next summer.

Good luck, Miralem!