Former Liverpool star Babel RELEASED by Turkish side 7 games into new campaign

A former Liverpool star who spent four seasons at Anfield has been released by Turkish second-tier side Eyupspor.

The 36-year-old spent one full season with the club, making 29 appearances in total, but failed to force his way into the starting XI this campaign.

As a result the Netherlands international has been released by the side currently sitting top of the league standings with the side sharing a heartfelt farewell message to the forward who netted five occasions for the team.

'We would like to thank Ryan Babel for his contribution to Eyupspor during his time in our jersey,' the club statement read. 'And wish him success in the rest of his career!'

Aside from a brief 2020 loan that saw him return to boyhood club Ajax, Babel has enjoyed a four-year stay in Turkey after spending three seasons with Galatasaray.

Prior to that move the winger had enjoyed a short spell back in the Premier League with Fulham in 2019 having spent two seasons at another Istanbul-based giant Besiktas.

Babel has played for a total of 10 clubs since leaving Anfield in 2011, where he scored 22 times in 146 appearances.

The forward waded into the debate following Tottenham's controversial 2-1 win against Liverpool by posting an image on X, formerly Twitter, of referee Simon Hooper in a Spurs jersey after the decision to disallow Luis Diaz's strike.

Babel has made 69 appearances for the Dutch national team, scoring 10 goals and was part of the squad that finished as runners-up at the 2010 World Cup.