Besiktas sign free agent Babel

Besiktas have confirmed the signing of former Liverpool and Ajax winger Ryan Babel on a two-and-a-half-year contract.

The Dutchman had been searching for a new club following the expiry of a short-term contract at Deportivo La Coruna, for whom he scored four goals in 11 LaLiga appearances.

Babel’s move to Besiktas represents a return to Turkey for the 30-year-old, who spent two seasons at Kasimpasa from 2013 to 2015.

The 42-cap Netherlands international scored 14 goals during that spell and will hope to rediscover that form as second-placed Besiktas chase the Super Lig title.

The defending champions are one point adrift of surprise leaders Istanbul Basaksehir after 16 matches.

Babel will be paid €1.2million during the 2016-17 season before picking up €2.1m in each of the subsequent two campaigns.