Copy linkFacebookXPinterestEmailShare this article 0Join the conversationFollow usAdd us as a preferred source on GoogleNewsletterSubscribe to our newsletterFor Jonjo Shelvey, his 2023 move to Turkey was supposed to mark a new chapter and fresh adventure in a career that began 15 years earlier when he made his senior debut as a 16-year-old for Charlton.The midfielder swapped Nottingham Forest for Caykur Rizespor, a club where he was able to focus on his football, but a move to Eyupspor the following season did not work out as he hoped.A myriad of financial, social and health issues would follow, as Shelvey found himself increasingly isolated and struggling to cope with being away from his family.Shelvey on his Turkey experienceI first went to Caykur Rizespor, who were brilliant for me because I could just concentrate on football, Shelvey tells FourFourTwo. But while the club provided a straightforward routine, adapting to life in Turkey did not come without challenges.It was a very Muslim place, there wasnt much more to do, you couldnt go out, there was no alcohol, you lived at the training ground and played your games. You may like Jonjo Shelvey on his Gareth Southgate rift and England snub Jonjo Shelvey on joining Liverpool and lining up alongside his hero Jonjo Shelvey rates recent Newcastle United managers from Rafa Benitez to Steve Bruce It was difficult with the language, and not making friends and being away from my family, but I enjoyed my first year there and should have signed another deal, but I moved to Eyupspor and that didnt work out. I tried something, I went out of my comfort zone.For Shelvey, this move exposed him to a tougher side of living and playing abroad, despite their being aspects of playing in Turkey that he enjoyed.Get FourFourTwo NewsletterThe best features, fun and footballing quizzes, straight to your inbox every week.Contact me with news and offers from other Future brandsReceive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsorsBy submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.One thing Ill say is the fans in Turkey are so passionate and fun to play in front of.But one problem out there can be getting paid, because some clubs pay you on time, but some dont pay the foreign players when they should and instead give you cash, which you cant take out of the country.If a former team-mate asked for advice about going there, it would all depend on the club.Away from football, Shelvey had become increasingly isolated.I was really bored and lonely out there living without my family, he continues. At the second club, I felt like I had the choice of going to a bar and having five or six pints, or going home and taking sleeping tablets to fall asleep. Id take one tablet and that would knock me out, but then the next day just one wouldnt do it, as Id built up my tolerance.At one point I was taking six or seven tablets at a time to knock myself out for the evening. I got addicted. Fortunately, when I left Turkey and went to Burnley, I was able to get the help I needed there and get myself off them.TOPICSSper LigJoe MewisSocial Links NavigationFor more than a decade, Joe Mewis has worked in football journalism as a reporter and editor. Mewis has had stints at Mirror Football and LeedsLive among others and worked at FourFourTwo throughout Euro 2024, reporting on the tournament. In addition to his journalist work, Mewis is also the author of four football history books that include times on Leeds United and the England national team. Now working as a digital marketing coordinator at Harrogate Town, too, Mewis counts some of his best career moments as being in the iconic Spygate press conference under Marcelo Bielsa and seeing his beloved Leeds lift the Championship trophy during lockdown.With contributions fromSam Pilger
