Guard Carlos Arroyo has announced that he has left Turkish side Galatasaray.
The 30-year-old averaged 12.5 points in 15 Euroleague games this season. But hasn’t featured recently due to injury.
The former Puerto Rico international released a statement issued early Monday afternoon that stated his reason for leaving is due to the club’s financial quarrel.
Arroyo’s statement reads:
“I am deeply saddened to inform the press and the great fans here in Istanbul of my decision to conclude my time with Galatasaray.
My decision to leave the team came only after long and careful consideration. It is with regret, yet firm conviction, that under the team’s current unstable financial situation, I can no longer be a part of the Galatasaray team. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the faithful fans of Galatasaray for the love and respect they have shown me over the last three years.
You will always have a place in my heart. I also would like to thank Coach Ataman for placing his utter confidence in me during these memorable years. I will forever be thankful for everything you have done for my career.
To my teammates, thank you for pushing me and inspiring me when I needed it most! I will miss you guys the most.”
The team are reported to have not paid their players for months. Coach Ergin Ataman has stated that he is owed nearly €850,000 by Galatasaray’s board of directors.
So while the situation on the court doesn’t seem too troubling, with Galatasaray fifth in the TBL and in the Top 16 of the Euroleague, they could face a mass exodus of playing and coaching staff before the season’s end.
TalkBasket’s John Hobbs contributed to this report.
