25.05.2026 16:00
Nicolo Zaniolo, who was loaned to Udinese by Galatasaray and whose purchase option has not yet been exercised, has bid farewell to the Italian team. "Thank you Udine and thank you Udinese, as I said 2-3 months ago, you entered my heart and no matter what, you will never leave there!" said Zaniolo, returning to Galatasaray.
Nicolo Zaniolo, who was loaned to Italian club Udinese with a purchase option from Super League giant Galatasaray, bid farewell to Udinese via his social media account.
PURCHASE OPTION NOT EXERCISED
This post by the Italian star, at a time when the Italian representative has not yet activated the purchase option, formalized the departure. Thus, the Italian star will start the new season with Galatasaray.
"UDINESE ENTERED MY HEART"
In an emotional statement on his social media account, Zaniolo said, "If you had asked me at the beginning of the year how I imagined this season, I would have described it exactly like this. I found a place that made me feel at home, restored my desire to play football, and gave me the joy of going to the field with a smile every day. Off the field, this wonderful city gave me my second son Leonardo and my marriage to the woman of my life! What can I say... Everything was wonderful and perfect! Now I will take a well-deserved vacation and return even stronger because I have many goals to achieve that are at least on hold for this year! Thank you Udine and thank you Udinese, as I said 2-3 months ago, you entered my heart and no matter what, you will never leave!"
OPTION IN CONTRACT
The Italian club had two formulas to permanently add the star player to its squad: paying Galatasaray a net transfer fee of 10 million euros, or a transfer fee of 5 million euros plus giving Galatasaray a 50% share from any future sale.
SEASON PERFORMANCE
The 26-year-old star impressed this season with 6 goals and 6 assists in 34 official matches for Udinese.