Former Fenerbahçe star Dirk Kuyt played an important role in convincing Robin Van Persie to join the club the star striker revealed today.

Van Persie spoke to reporters at the Sabiha Gökçen airport shortly after arriving in Istanbul, Turkey.

“I am very happy to be in Istanbul and can’t believe the fan response,” Van Persie was quoted as saying by Turkish-football.com.

“I have a great relationship with Dirk Kuyt, we played together for 10 years and I did ask him about the club before making my decision. He told me great things and swayed my decision.”

“I cannot wait to meet the fans and make them happy.”

As reported by Turkish-football.com’s Emre Sarıgül and the Guardian’s Jamie Jackson last Saturday Kuyt played a major role in Van Persie decision to make the move.

Kuyt won the Süper Lig and Turkish Cup with Fenerbahçe but left for Feyenoord at the end of last season.

Van Persie and Kuyt were Netherlands international teammates over the past decade but the former Manchester United man will also have compatriot Wesley Sneijder playing in the league for rivals Galatasaray.

The 31-year-old striker will become the only Dutch international in the Fenerbahçe team following the departure of the former Liverpool winger.

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