Melbourne Heart defender Aziz Behich is heading to 2010 Turkish Super Lig champions Bursaspor immediately.
Melbourne Heart defender Aziz Behich is heading to 2010 Turkish Super Lig champions Bursaspor.
Behich, 22, will leave tonight for Turkey and will be available for Bursaspor-s home clash against Turkish giants Galatasaray this weekend, pending the issuing of his international clearance.
Behich, from the working class Melbourne suburb of Meadow Heights, is one of the great success stories of the Hyundai A-League, having risen from National Youth League outcast to international footballer in the space of three seasons.
“To make a move to a club that plays Champions League football is a dream come true and I really can-t thank Melbourne Heart enough for giving me this opportunity,” Behich said.
“I have loved my time at Melbourne Heart and all the support that I have received from the members since I joined.
“I will miss them and miss being around my old team-mates.”
Heart Head Coach John Aloisi said he was disappointed to lose Behich, but did not want to stand in his way once the Socceroo decided he wanted to pursue the opportunity.
“To take Aziz from the state leagues of Victoria to face the likes of Didier Drogba and Wesley Sneijder is something Melbourne Heart can be enormously proud of,” said Aloisi.
“It hurts to lose him at this stage of the season but how can you stand in the way of a player fulfilling his dreams.
“It-s a great opportunity for the club to continue to grow and a chance for Aziz to establish himself as a genuine international for Australia.”
