Ryan Babel joins Fulham: Former Liverpool forward returns to Premier League from Besiktas

Babel becomes Fulham's first signing of the January window.
AFP/Getty Images
Tony Mogan15 January 2019

Fulham have announced the signing of Ryan Babel on a permanent transfer from Besiktas on a deal running until the end of the season.

Claudio Ranieri has been eager to add more firepower to his squad to aid his side's battle for Premier League survival with Fulham scoring just 20 league goals this season.

Former Liverpool winger Babel will wear the number 12 shirt at Craven Cottage.

“My first impressions are good and I’m very excited, the 32-year-old told the club's official website.

“I definitely have faith that Fulham can stay up. That’s one of the reasons that I’m here, to try and help that to happen. I’m ready to go, I’m excited and I can’t wait.”

Babel cost Liverpool £11.5m in 2007 but despite a promising first season he was not a success at Anfield. He made 146 appearances before joining Hoffenheim in an £8m deal in 2011.

Babel lost his way during spells at Ajax, Kasimpasa in Turkey, Al Ain in the UAE and Deportivo La Coruna, but found his spark at Besiktas.

He is now a regular in the Holland side and is in line to start against England in the Nations League semi-finals in June.

A 2-1 defeat at Burnley on Saturday left second-from-bottom Fulham five points from safety.

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