French winger Yoan Gouffran has joined Goztepe SK on a free transfer despite being offered a deal to stay at Newcastle.
The Turkish side confirmed the capture of the 31-year-old on a two-year deal via their official website as well as the club’s official Twitter account:
#Spoiler: Gouffran is Herehttps://t.co/yfpBiaBkqq#GoTS7 #WinterIsHere #Göztepe pic.twitter.com/csufuVaxsk
— Göztepe Spor Kulübü (@Goztepe) July 17, 2017
The news comes despite Newcastle having reportedly offered him a one-year extension to his deal which expired this summer.
The club had announced back in June that they were in talks over extending his time on Tyneside on their official Twitter account:
The club has opened discussions with Yoan Gouffran’s representatives, which may see the Frenchman extend his stay at St. James' Park. #NUFC
— Newcastle United FC (@NUFC) June 9, 2017
His departure ends a four and a half year stint on in the North East, having joined from French side Bordeaux in the winter transfer window of 2013.
A versatile wide man who could also operate as an out-and-out forward, Gouffran found himself in and out of the first team throughout his Newcastle career.
It had appeared that he would depart the club last summer following their relegation but he stayed on to establish himself as a key member of Rafael Benitez’s title winning squad.
He ended up making 45 appearances across all competitions, missing just three league games, as he scored seven goals and provided a further five assists.
In total he ended up turning out for the Magpies on 141 occasions, 89 of those coming in the Premier League, hitting the back of the net 19 times.