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Obafemi Martins says he'd like to play for Galatasaray

The Sounders striker says he feels 'out of the loop' and that he'd like to get back into the Nigerian national team.

Joe Nicholson-USA TODAY Sports

Saying he feels "out of the loop" in MLS, Obafemi Martins told an Italian website that he would like to return to Europe in order to make a final push for the Nigerian World Cup team. His preference is to apparently play for Turkish giant Galatasaray, and seems open to either a loan or an outright transfer.

Martins only received one national team call-up during his time with the Sounders and that was almost immediately after he completed the move.

"I love the United States, it's an extraordinary country, the MLS is a growing league and for me the past few months have been a lifetime experience," he's quoted as saying. "Seattle are all nice to me, especially the fans. I do not ever miss their support, but I'm only 29 years old."

If Martins were to make the move, it would be his seventh professional team since 2009 and his eighth since 2006 when he first left Italy's Internazionale. Along the way, he's played in five different countries.

During his first season with the Sounders, Martins scored eight goals in 20 appearances. But six of those came in his first 10 appearances, as injuries limited him to just six games in the Sounders' final 16 matches.

A move may be easier said than done, though. The Sounders effectively paid his $4 million exit clause from Levante and reportedly committed about $7.5 million over three years. That would leave the Sounders needing to recoup at least $7 million to cover their outlay in the first year.

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