Harry Kewell talks Turkey

* By Grantley Bernard
* From: The Sunday Telegraph
* May 22, 2010 11:52PM

SOCCEROOS superstar Harry Kewell has admitted he had no option but to leave England and his family to resurrect his football career.

Blighted by injury during five years at Liverpool - after the stellar launch of his career at Leeds United made him one of world football's hottest properties - Kewell's reputation and standing in the game had taken a battering, especially in England.

So Kewell bit the bullet, made the heart-wrenching decision to leave his family in their Manchester home and travelled across Europe to sign a two-year deal with Turkish club Galatasaray.

Two years later that decision, which surprised some given his name had always been linked with moves to big clubs in England, Spain and Italy, has proven to be the remaking of Harry Kewell the footballer.

"When I first decided to sign for Galatasaray, it was a difficult decision," Kewell said. "We sat down and looked at the pros and cons. I thought with the reputation I had in England at that time, it was probably good for me to go away and get my act together and maybe venture back in at some other stage.

"The decision on a football level was to go out there. Before you know it, two years is up. I've missed that two years at home, but on a professional level it has been the best thing for my football because I've been able to concentrate on football 24/7."

Kewell quickly became a fan favourite at Galatasaray and he began last season in top form, scoring 12 goals in 22 appearances in the Turkish Super Lig and Europa League.

Then he was sidelined again, this time with a groin injury - the complications of which have him racing to be ready for the World Cup.

This time around Kewell is feeling positive and he has been buoyed by the good vibes from Gala fans - unlike at Liverpool, where his stay ended amid a lot of criticism that hurt him.

"It's a shame because they don't know the truth," Kewell said. "If they knew the truth they'd be all sitting there and I'm sure they'd be, 'Well, maybe I shouldn't have said that'. But it's too late for that now. You've just got to get on with it.

"My first six months at Liverpool were brilliant. Then I started hitting injuries, one after the other. I'd come back, look good, break down, come back, break down, come back, break down. It was like being on a rotisserie. It kept going round and round. I never thought it would end."

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/soccer/harry-kewell-talks-turkey/story-e6frey4r-1225870001142