Former Rangers winger Vaclav Cerny has revealed the role Ridvan Yilmaz played in his move to Besiktas.
Cerny joined the Turkish side on Tuesday in a deal worth €6million, per Transfermarkt.
The 28-year-old has signed a three-year contract with the club.
In joining Besiktas, Cerny links up with his old Rangers teammate, Ridvan Yilmaz. He returned to Turkey earlier this summer.
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Upon signing, the winger revealed that a chat with Yilmaz and more of his new teammates convinced him to make the move: "I'm incredibly happy to be here," Cerny told Besiktas' official website. "I couldn't wait to come here and be here. I'm really happy right now.
"It was a very fast process in my head, actually. From the first moment they contacted me.
"I was completely sure about taking this step. Everyone around me knows very well that I was really eager to come here. I'm really happy that it happened.
"This jersey is one everyone knows very well. It's not really something new for me, but of course, it was a very special moment. Now that I can wear this jersey, I feel even better. I'm very happy.
"Of course, before coming to Besiktas, I had the chance to talk to a few people I knew before. I talked to Orkun [Kokcu]. We were rivals a lot when I played in the Netherlands. I talked to David Jurasek, a close friend of mine from the Czech national team.
"I talked to Rıdvan [Yilmaz]. We were together at Rangers last season. The conversations with these friends really played a big role in my coming here. Because the relationship with them was so important. My conversations and the things they told me were very positive. I can say that with what they said, I'm completely convinced I'd like to come here."
Cerny made 52 appearances on loan at Rangers from Wolfsburg last season. He scored 18 goals and assisted nine, although the move was never made permanent.