Experienced Gabonese midfielder Mario Lemina leaves Wolves to join Turkish giants Galatarasay

The 31-year-old has agreed to a one-and-a-half-year contract worth £48,000 per week, with the option for an additional year, with the Turkish club.

Lemina previously played for Galatasaray on loan during the 2019-20 season while at Southampton, making 28 appearances. Reflecting on his return, he told the club's website, "Everyone knows how much I love this club. I'm extremely happy to be back at such a prestigious club. I will give everything for the team and the fans. Together, I hope we can achieve all the success we deserve."

The midfielder joined Wolves from Nice in January 2023 but hasn't played for the club since January 6, following a fallout with manager Vitor Pereira. Pereira stated that Lemina would not be selected to play until the transfer window closed. Initially, Lemina had refused to make himself available for selection but later reversed his stance.

In December, Lemina lost the Wolves captaincy to Nelson Semedo after an altercation with West Ham's Jarrod Bowen in a 2-1 loss at the London Stadium. Shortly after, Pereira replaced Gary O'Neil as head coach.

Currently, Wolves are 17th in the Premier League, just two points above the relegation zone, after securing five wins this season.

Meanwhile, Galatasaray is sitting atop the Turkish Super Lig and has advanced to the knockout play-off round of the Europa League.

Lemina began his professional career at Lorient and also played for Marseille in France before moving to Juventus in 2015. Southampton made a club-record £18.1 million investment to sign Lemina in 2017, and he made 52 appearances for them.

After loan spells at Galatasaray and Fulham, Lemina made a permanent transfer to Nice from Southampton in 2021.

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