Its hard to say goodbye - Arda turan

The Turk says he will never forget his time at the Vicente Calderon, while Josep Maria Bartomeu believes he turned down greater wages elsewhere

Arda Turan says he will always carry Atletico Madrid in his heart after completing his transfer to Barcelona.

The Liga and European champions announced on Monday that the winger, 28, has sealed a move to Camp Nou for a fee which could rise to €41 million.

After four years at the Vicente Calderon - in which he won La Liga, the Copa del Rey and the Europa League - the Turkey international says he will not forget his time in the capital.

"I will always carry Atletico in my heart," Arda told the club's official website.

"It's been four amazing years. I had very special moments at Atletico and I'll never forget my team-mates, the fans and everyone at the club. I can only thank everyone."

Barca presidential candidate Josep Maria Bartomeu welcomed the announcement, but denied that the deal was done just to strengthen his bid to regain his post.

"This move doesn't favour me, it favours Barca, because he is a player of proven quality," he said. "He'll contribute greatly to the team, I welcome the interim board's decision.

"Arda brings excitement to Barca. I'm very excited and happy, he's something the coaches and Luis Enrique requested. To sign a player like him is good for the club and the team."

Bartomeu also believes Arda would have received greater wage offers from elsewhere in Europe but that he always made it clear he wanted to join Lionel Messi and Co. at Barca.

"Luis Enrique asked for two players: Arda Turan and Aleix Vidal. I'm sure many clubs in Europe would've paid him more but Arda wants to come to Barca and play with Messi in this treble-winning team. His agent said he wanted to come to us from the beginning."

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