Jan Olde Riekerink

Germany's former star striker Lukas Podolski has agreed a move from Turkish giant Galatasaray to Vissel Kobe of Japan, according to media reports.

Hürriyet daily said on Feb. 15 that Podolski had agreed a three year deal with the J1 side worth 15 million euros ($15.8 million) and Istanbul side Galatasaray would receive a transfer fee of 2.7 million euros ($2.85 million).

The Galatasaray administration and technical staff were in hot water on Feb. 13 after the Istanbul club suffered a 2-1 defeat at home to Kayserispor, its second loss in three league games.

Larrys Mabiala and Levent Gülen scored one goal each in the first half for the visiting side, with the home side's consolidation goal coming from Eren Derdiyok one minute from the final whistle.  

Galatasaray coach Jan Olde Riekerink blamed the weather and the icy pitch after his side was held to 2-2 draw at Osmanlıspor in the Spor Toto Super League on Dec. 18.

Be?ikta? cemented its hold on the top spot in the Turkish Super League with a 1-0 win over Istanbul archrival Galatasaray late on May 8.