Daily Read: Football
Shelvey Reflects on Turbulent Turkey Spell
Jonjo Shelvey said his 2023 move to Turkey was meant to be a fresh start after a 15‑year career that began at Charlton. He signed for Caykur Rizespor, where he could focus on football, but the next season he switched to Eyupspor and the experience fell short of expectations. Shelvey described a mix of financial, social and health problems, including delayed wages, a strict Muslim environment that limited leisure activities, and growing isolation from family. The midfielder admitted he turned to sleeping tablets to cope, eventually becoming addicted; he credits support in England for helping him recover. Despite the hardships, Shelvey praised Turkish fans for their passion and noted that some clubs struggle to pay foreign players on time. He says that future teammates considering a move should weigh club reputation and financial reliability carefully. The story highlights the personal toll of overseas transfers and the importance of mental‑health support for players abroad.
The essential points
- 01Shelvey’s 2023 transfer to Caykur Rizespor aimed to give him a focused football environment but led to isolation and financial issues
- 02He moved to Eyupspor the following season, where delayed wages and a lack of social outlets worsened his mental health
- 03The midfielder admitted using up to seven sleeping tablets nightly, becoming addicted before receiving help after returning to England
- 04He praised Turkish fans’ passion but warned that clubs sometimes fail to pay foreign players on time, advising caution for future transfers
The full brief
Jonjo Shelvey said his 2023 move to Turkey was meant to be a fresh start after a 15‑year career that began at Charlton. He signed for Caykur Rizespor, where he could focus on football, but the next season he switched to Eyupspor and the experience fell short of expectations. Shelvey described a mix of financial, social and health problems, including delayed wages, a strict Muslim environment that limited leisure activities, and growing isolation from family.
The midfielder admitted he turned to sleeping tablets to cope, eventually becoming addicted; he credits support in England for helping him recover. Despite the hardships, Shelvey praised Turkish fans for their passion and noted that some clubs struggle to pay foreign players on time. He says that future teammates considering a move should weigh club reputation and financial reliability carefully.
The story highlights the personal toll of overseas transfers and the importance of mental‑health support for players abroad.