Xavier strikes loan deal with Galatasaray

Liverpool have released defender Abel Xavier on a year's loan to Galatasaray, a deal which will be made permanent if the player…

Liverpool have released defender Abel Xavier on a year's loan to Galatasaray, a deal which will be made permanent if the player impresses.

The Portuguese defender leaves Anfield one week short of a year since his move from Everton, after just 21 games for the Anfield club.

The 31-year-old is expected to fly to Turkey in the next few days.

"We will bring the player to Istanbul after he has signed the agreement but Xavier has to go to Portugal first to pick some stuff up," said Galatasaray's director of football Burak Elmas.