Bursa, June 29: Georghe Hagi, Romania's greatest ever footballer, has ended an 18-month absence from the game by signing a two-year contract to coach Turkish club Bursaspor. Hagi signed for his new club in Bursa on Saturday (June 28). He previously captained Galatasaray to four Turkish titles and the UEFA Cup between 1996 and 2000. Hagi hung up his boots in 2000 after spells with Steaua Bucharest, Real Madrid, Brescia, Barcelona and Galatasaray. He then coached the Romanian national side, but has been out of soccer since 2001. New Bursaspor president Fikret Ustenci pledged to hire Hagi when he took control of the club on Wednesday (June 25). At the signing ceremony in Bursa on Saturday Hagi said: "...I have signed a three year contract with Bursaspor because I believe that Bursaspor can establish a competitive team, that's why I signed for three years. "I also believe that we will have a very good team in this three years -- of course with the support of our board. We will put on a very good performance.



Bursaspor had a tough season last year. We need time. I know it is hard, but we will produce a team to make the fans happy. I know we will achieve this. This project really excites me. Time will show everything."


Bursaspor finished 15th in the Turkish League last season. There was tight security outside the ground on Saturday because huge crowds greeted Hagi's arrival the day before and when police moved in to control them there were some injuries. But there were no problems on Saturday.


Bureau Report