Hundreds of Galatasaray fans greet Bafetimbi Gomis in traditional Turkish style at airport
Bafetimbi Gomis was treated to a hero's welcome on Wednesday after arriving in Turkey ahead of his £3m move to Galatasaray.
In what has now become a Turkish football tradition, hundreds of Gala fans flocked to greet the French striker as he touched down at Istanbul's Ataturk airport.
After initially appearing flattered by the unprecedented attention he was receiving, the 31-year-old became visibly anxious as he was forced to fend off shrieking supporters in a bid to exit the airport.
As is the custom on such occasions, Gomis was draped in a club scarf before being paraded through the arrivals lounge like a long-lost relative.
Gomis' sale was confirmed in a Swansea City statement on Wednesday morning.
"Everyone at Swansea City would like to thank Bafe for his service to the club and wish him well for the future," the statement read.
Gomis scored 17 times in 71 matches for Swansea after arriving on a free transfer from Lyon in 2014.
It's just two weeks since diminutive playmaker Mathieu Valbuena was mobbed by Fenerbahce fans after completing a £2m move to Galatasaray's Istanbul rivals, Fenerbahce.
Standing at just 5 feet 5 inches, Valbuena looked like a vulnerable child as he was ushered through the airport by a melee of Fener supporters.
Once safely in his car the former Marseille midfielder held his new club's scarf aloft while waving to fans through a car sunroof.
Robin van Persie was forced to endure a similar ordeal in 2014 when he first arrived in Turkey ahead of his £4m move to Fenerbahce.
The former Manchester United and Arsenal striker was forcibly draped in blue and yellow scarfs in an experience the Dutchman described as 'unique'.
"I have seen a lot over the years but I have never seen anything like this. I hope that I'm going to make you happy. It's an honour," said Van Persie.
In 2009, around 3,000 Ankaragucu supporters gathered to celebrate the arrival of England international, Darius Vassell.
Vassell was mobbed and surrounded by excitable well wishers of the capital club, draped with flags in the club’s colours and looked visibly shocked as the crowd chanted his name and let off flares.
Fans cheered and proudly held up banners reading ‘Hands in the air, Vassell is here!’
Unfortunately the former Manchester City failed to live up to the hype, scoring four times in 25 appearances before returning to England with Leicester City,
While Turkish fans remain the standard bearers for enthusiastic airport greetings, the trend is slowly catching on around the world.
In 2013 Aberdeen's Darren Mackie was presented with a bouquet of flowers in adorable reception to mark the Scot's arrival in America ahead of his move to Phoenix FC.
The striker, who played just ten games for the MLS club, shook hands with fans as he and is family emerged into Phoenix airport's modest arrivals lounge.
