Pepe Set to Complete Besiktas Transfer After 10 Seasons with Real Madrid

Besiktas confirmed they are on the verge of signing veteran centre-back Pepe on Tuesday, with the Portuguese set to pen a deal with the Turkish giants.

The club's official Twitter account announced they were in negotiations, with Pepe set to start a new stage of his career having ended a hugely successful 10-year spell with Real Madrid.

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Beşiktaş start transfer negotiations with Pepe!#Beşiktaş pic.twitter.com/cuybY7X5MZ

— Beşiktaş JK English (@BesiktasEnglish) July 4, 2017"

Richard Martin of Reuters indicated Pepe will sign a two-year deal with Besiktas, with his last contract with Los Blancos having expired last month.

Pepe joined Real in July 2007 from FC Porto for a reported €30 million, a relative bargain in the end given how much he contributed to the club.

The 34-year-old left the Santiago Bernabeu having won the UEFA Champions League three times, three La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey on two occasions.

Pepe and Sergio Ramos formed a stellar centre-back partnership at Real, but during 2016-17, the Portugal international was noticeably played less by manager Zinedine Zidane.

He should still be a big asset for Besiktas, though, as he boasts immense experience and retains many of the qualities that have earned him a reputation as one of the best no-nonsense defenders in Europe.

Pepe's aggression can get the better of him occasionally, but he remains a top-class defender who should still have a couple of good seasons left in him.