Has Andros Townsend's move from Luton Town to Antalyaspor gone to plan so far? | OneFootball

Townsend has has a turbulent time in the last few months

Andros Townsend has probably had the strangest few months of his career since he left Luton Town for Turkish Süper Lig side Antalyaspor in August.

The ex-England international winger joined the Hatters on a short-term contract in October 2023 to help them in their quest to survive in the Premier League, then signed a long-term deal in January, but could not help Rob Edwards' side avoid relegation back to the Championship in May.

Despite his experience and talent, the 33-year-old was reported to be close to leaving Kenilworth Road in August as Edwards could not guarantee him consistent game-time in the second-tier, and it was then confirmed later that month that he was close to signing a contract with Antalyaspor.

The move soon hit a snag though, as his new side's transfer embargo meant that he was unable to actually make the move, and he was left in limbo for a month without knowing what his future held, but he has since officially signed for the two-time Süper Lig champions and can now focus on his new endeavours.

Andros Townsend was in limbo after failed move to Antalyaspor

Townsend understandably wanted to move on from the Hatters before the new campaign, after an honest discussion with Edwards in which they came to the mutual agreement that he would have to depart for the good of his career, but may well have begun to regret his move to Antalyaspor not long after he had signed their prospective contract.

Just weeks after his Luton exit, he revealed that he was able to train with his new team-mates, but could not play or even be officially announced as an Antalyaspor player due to a transfer ban that had been imposed by FIFA prior to his arrival, in an interview with BBC 5 Live's Monday Night club.

"I'm stuck in Antalyaspor just training, I don't know who owns me, I don't know where my contract is," Townsend explained.

"Three days before the start of the season at Luton, I get a phone call from Antalyaspor saying 'we have an offer for you but you've got 24 hours to respond because we've got a transfer ban coming and we need to get you in before the transfer ban'.

"No time to think about it, I managed to negotiate to be involved in the first game for Luton, then it was literally all signed and all done.

"We missed the deadline by a couple of hours. The contract is signed (but) they can't officially register me, they can't announce me because they have a transfer ban.

"There were so many red flags, you wouldn't believe it. Honestly, I've no idea what's happening and what's going to happen.

"I keep getting told 'tomorrow, tomorrow, tomorrow'. Every time I ask what's happening they say 'don't worry you are our player, you're contracted to us, you can't go anywhere'. I'm just here."

Townsend has since been able to sign for his new club

Despite the drama surrounding his move, the former Crystal Palace and Everton man was finally able to officially register as a player for Antalyaspor in September, after their transfer registration embargo had been lifted.

According to the BBC, a source close to the club claimed the Süper Lig side owed outstanding money to two former players, and had hoped to complete Townsend's transfer when the debts were paid.

He was able to make his debut for Alex De Souza's side against Adana Demirspor on September 16, as he was handed a starting berth and helped his new team run out 2-1 winners at the Antalya Stadium.

Townsend has since made three more appearances, all from the off, but is yet to win another game with Antalyaspor in those meetings against Kasimpasa, Fenerbahçe and Caykur Rizespor, and has not yet registered a goal or assist so far.

He will surely be set to continue as a key part of their side going forward, but will hope to move them away from the bottom of the top-flight as they compete in their 10th consecutive Süper Lig season and aim to improve on last season's 10th placed finish.