Sukur returns to Gala

BOLTON WANDERERS have missed out on the capture of Hakan Sukur after the Turkish international opted to rejoin Galatasaray.

Sukur was available on a free transfer after the expiration of his short-term deal at Bolton's North West rivals Blackburn Rovers.

Trotters manager Sam Allardyce confirmed the 31-year-old was on his summer shopping list and he had been striving to set up negotiations.

But Allardyce will have to cast his net elsewhere after Galatasaray announced they had re-signed the prolific Sukur.

The experienced hit-man played the best football of his career with the Istanbul giants and will be eager to rediscover his superb goalscoring form back in Turkey.

He has signed a blank contract with Galatasaray, with the details of the deal to emerge during the coming weeks.

Sukur will now link up with his new team-mates at their pre-season training camp in Austria and will be anxious to return to the form which made him one of the most feared marksmen in Europe.