Istanbul Basaksehir pay tribute to 'humble' and 'exemplary athlete' Robinho as Brazilian forward, 36, becomes a free agent weeks after helping them win first Turkish title
- Robinho has been released by Istanbul Basaksehir after his contract expired
- Brazilian forward, 36, helped the club secure their first-ever Turkish league title
- Basaksehir described him as an 'exemplary athlete' as they paid tribute
- Robinho formerly played for Real Madrid, Manchester City and AC Milan
- He has spent the last few years in Turkey with Sivasspor and BasaksehirĀ
- They were dumped out of the Europa League last week, losing to CopenhagenĀ
Turkish champions Istanbul Basaksehir have praised 'exemplary athlete' Robinho after his contract at the club expired.
The Brazilian forward, 36, becomes a free agent after one season with the club, who secured their first ever Super Lig title three weeks ago.
Basaksehir said: 'We thank Robinho, who is an exemplary athlete with both his humble personality and character, for his efforts for our club and wish him success for the rest of his career.'
![Robinho (right) has been released by Istanbul Basaksehir after his contract there expired](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/08/07/31706678-8606677-image-a-33_1596869554697.jpg)
Robinho (right) has been released by Istanbul Basaksehir after his contract there expired
![Istanbul Basaksehir won the Turkish Superlig for the first time and became 6th different winner](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/07/20/00/30954980-8539411-image-a-73_1595201154818.jpg)
Istanbul Basaksehir won the Turkish Superlig for the first time and became 6th different winner
Robinho is best remembered by English fans for two underwhelming years at Manchester City.
But he achieved a great deal of success in his career, winning two league titles with Santos in his homeland before moving to Europe.
Robinho won LaLiga in two consecutive seasons with Real Madrid and Serie A with AC Milan in 2010-11.
Inbetween he played 53 games across two seasons for Man City, scoring 16 times, after they broke the British transfer record to buy him for Ā£32.5million in 2008.
After a fall-out with City manager Roberto Mancini, he was sent back to Santos on loan and then sold to Milan in 2010.
![Robinho played 100 times for Brazil, scoring 28 goals, and participated at two World Cups](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/08/07/31706746-8606677-image-a-41_1596869656011.jpg)
Robinho played 100 times for Brazil, scoring 28 goals, and participated at two World Cups
![Manchester City broke the British transfer record to sign Robinho in 2008 but his time at the Etihad Stadium wasn't too successful](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2020/08/08/07/31706672-8606677-image-a-42_1596869675714.jpg)
Manchester City broke the British transfer record to sign Robinho in 2008 but his time at the Etihad Stadium wasn't too successful
After four seasons there, he returned on loan to Santos before playing for Chinese club Guangzhou Evergrande, Brazilian side Atletico Mineiro and Turkish clubs Sivasspor and Basaksehir in the latter part of his career.
Robinho won 100 caps for Brazil, scoring 28 times, and played at two World Cups.
Basaksehir broke the stranglehold of the big three Istanbul clubs - Galatasaray, Fenerbahce and Besiktas - by winning this seasonās Super Lig, finishing four points ahead of Trabzonspor.Ā
However, they were dumped out of the Europa League by Copenhagen on Wednesday night, losing 3-0 in Denmark having won the first leg 1-0.Ā Ā
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