Yaya Toure leaves Olympiacos after 3 months
Greek club Olympiacos announced that they have terminated the contract of Yaya Toure. The 35-year-old former Ivory Coast international had his deal axed “by mutual agreement” after joining the club just 3 months ago.
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Toure elected to join Olympiacos back in September after his contract with Manchester City expired. This was Toure’s second stint with the club after he spent the 2005-06 season playing in the Greek top flight. He appeared in just 4 matches in his second tenure with the club, 2 as a starter and 2 more as a substitute.
Most top soccer betting sites believe a return to England is the most likely next stop for the player. Toure was recently granted British citizenship, and he still seems to believe he is capable of playing at a high enough level to hack it in arguably the most competitive league in the world. A move to a high-profile club is unlikely at this advanced stage of his career, but there is always a chance a smaller club comes calling, especially if given the opportunity to acquire a player of Toure’s massive profile.
The club issued a statement, saying, “Olympiacos and Yaya Toure would like to announce to the fans that they have mutually agreed to end their cooperation. Yaya is leaving as a friend and the doors of Olympiacos will always be open for him. Our paths will surely cross again.”
Toure helped Olympiacos to a domestic double before leaving after one season to join Monaco back in the middle part of the last decade. He eventually moved to one of the biggest clubs in the world in Barcelona in 2007. Toure helped Barca win Champions League in 2009 before joining Manchester City in 2010. Toure was a member of City during each of its 3 Premier League-winning campaigns over the last handful of years.
Toure has reportedly turned down offers to join the Chinese Super League as well as Major League Soccer in the United States. The former Manchester City star man is optimistic that he can get another job in England. Toure’s family is living in London, and Sky News recently reported that Toure has been keeping himself fit with the hopes of a return. Toure’s last competitive match came on November 8 when Olympiacos toppled Dudelange 5-1 in the Europa League.
Toure scored 79 goals in 316 games with City before being released by the club this past summer. His agent, Dimitry Seluk, initiated rumors of a potential London return for the player over this summer before he ultimately left for Greece. Murmurs circulated that both Crystal Palace and West Ham had interest in signing Toure over the summer, but Seluk ultimately shot down both rumors.
Seluk told Greek publication Gazzetta, “There are many proposals from Arab teams, but also from Asia. Huge offers. But most likely for Yaya is to return to the Premier League. His dream was to fight there and make it happen. He wants to come back there and I think there are conditions for it to happen again.”
Toure left a message for Olympiacos fans on his Facebook page, saying, “I came back for you. I had a vision and wanted to win trophies for you. Sadly, it has not worked out but I move on with love in my heart for you all. You have always encouraged me and stood by me. But now it is time for a new challenge. My love for football still burns strong.”
Toure reportedly clashed with City manager Pep Guardiola after the 2 endured a rocky spell together previously at the Camp Nou with Barcelona.
The Ivorian started his professional career in 2001 with Beveren, for whom he scored 3 times in 70 appearances. He then moved on to Metalurh Donetsk, Olympiacos, Monaco, Barcelona and Manchester City before returning to Greece this past summer. He also made his international debut for the Ivory Coast, for whom he found the back of the net 19 times in 101 appearances. Toure played for Ivory Coast at 3 different World Cups (2006, 2010, 2014), as well.
