Turkish club Goztepe on verge of snapping up Ireland international Sinclair Armstrong

Sinclair Armstrong of Bristol celebrates. Pic: Dan Istitene/Getty Images

Sinclair Armstrong will become the first Irish player involved in summer transfer activity when he finalises a €2.5m move to Turkish club Goztepe from Bristol City.

It’s understood the 22-year-old striker, who won his sole senior cap against the Netherlands in 2024, is in Izmir to complete his medical and formalities ahead of an official announcement.

Armstrong joined the Robins from QPR in July 2024, banking his Irish club Shamrock Rovers a €700,000 chunk of the €3m fee through their 25% sell-on clause, but he endured a disappointing season.

Only 10 of his 41 Championship appearances were as a starter and his goal return of four was a modest improvement on his first year’s tally of three.

Goztepe, owned by the same Sport Republic that has Southampton in its stable, got their man after having a lower bid rejected last September.

They finished last season's Süper Lig campaign in sixth place, one spot off European qualification, and view the Dublin-born newcomer as a vital cog in their artillery for next season.

Last season, Festy Ebosele became the first Irish player to appear in the Turkish league after agreeing a long-term contract with Basaksehir FK.