

ROBIN VAN PERSIE wanted something “more special,” something to represent him and his journey. So, at Sukru Saracoglu stadium, before 18,000 manic fans and 25 camera crews, he took to the pitch with Bouchra, his wife, Shaqueel, his son, and Dina, his daughter.

Instead of the usual sight of a new signing doing a couple of keepy-uppies on their pitch, Fenerbahce’s faithful got the whole Van Persie clan. Robin juggled the ball with Shaqueel and swapped passes with shy little Dina. Turks, family people, loved it. “They were even singing my name!” Bouchra laughs.

Shaqueel, eight, highly promising, will join Fenerbahce’s academy, having been at Manchester City’s. “Now he says ‘dad, at our presentation…’ because he thinks he made a transfer as well,” Van Persie