Ex-Liverpool star Ryan Babel admits he became ‘hated man’ after controversial transfer
Former Liverpool winger Ryan Babel has opened up about the intense backlash he faced after his move from Besiktas to Galatasaray.
Babel, who joined the Reds in a £11.5million transfer from Ajax back in 2007, spent four years at Anfield, playing under Rafa Benitez, Roy Hodgson and Sir Kenny Dalglish. He contributed 22 goals and 18 assists in 146 appearances in all competitions at Anfield.
After a journeyman career with spells in Germany, UAE, Spain, and Turkey, Babel found a sweet spot at Kasimpasa between 2013 and 2015. He returned to Turkish football in January 2017 when he joined Besiktas, netting 22 goals in 62 games. However, his decision to switch to Istanbul rivals Galatasaray in 2019 soured his relationship with the Besiktas faithful.
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Speaking to Ladbrokes Fanzone, Babel reflected on the experience. "Obviously that move to Galatasaray didn't go down well. It was actually heartbreaking to play against Besiktas for the first time after that move," reports the Daily Star.
He added: "I'd gone from having all of their hearts, and returning to a stadium where I'd made so many great memories, to now being whistled and booed whenever I had the ball. I didn't go directly to Galatasaray from Besiktas, though. I went to Fulham first, but they still didn't really like it!"
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Babel had a brief stint at Fulham during the latter half of the 2018/19 Premier League season, where he netted five goals but couldn't prevent the club's relegation. It was at that moment
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