Milan Baros Finds New Home In Turkey

It wasn't too long ago when Milan Baros was considered a top striker in Europe. He began his club football in FC Banik Ostrava of the Gambrinus liga (Czech League). Following a four-year stint with the Czech club, he joined Liverpool in 2002.

In the 2002-2003 season, the 27-year-old scored twice in his EPL debut in a match against the Bolton Wanderers. Baros ended the season with 12 goals, and expectations increased the following year.

A broken ankle kept him out of action for six months, resulting in only a two-goal campaign. Following his performance at Euro 2004, you could say that Baros was at the top of his game.

He scored five goals in the tournament, and was awarded the Golden Boot. Among the highlights were a tremendous performance in a come-from-behind victory over the Netherlands, and two goals in as many minutes in a quarterfinal match against Denmark.

Baros' goalscoring displays continued when he returned to Anfield. Michael Owen and Emile Heskey were sold, and Djibril Cisse was on the sidelines with a long-term injury. The Czech international was now the go-to guy for the Reds and showed it with his 13 strikes.

Playing mostly all of Liverpool's games as a lone striker, Baros was instrumental in the 2005 Champions League title win. Embarassingly, he dropped the trophy during a celebration.

The team decided not to fix the dent because it added character to the trophy. His days were numbered with Rafael Benitez in the 2005-2006 season. Baros seemed destined for a move to Lyon, rejoining former Liverpool manager Gerrard Houllier.

Fans still cheered his name despite his moving to Aston Villa in August 2005. Popular chap, yes. An eight-goal debut season didn't attain the support for Villa fans, especially with an apparent lack of effort shown on the pitch.

Injuries and the emergence of Gabriel Agbonlahor meant the dropping of Baros. He was sold to Lyon in a part exchange deal for John Carew. Overall, he totalled 14 goals in 51 appearances for Aston Villa.

France didn't treat the striker too kindly, and Gerard Houllier's departure resulted in less playing time under Alain Perrin. His arrest while driving a Ferrari F430 at 271km/h didn't help matters.

In another attempt to rescue his career, Baros joined Portsmouth in January of 2008. It was not to be, with no goals in 16 contests.

The only bright spot was his FA Cup performances, earning the game-deciding penalty kick in the quarter final against Manchester United, and assisting Nwankwo Kanu's winning goal in the semi finals against West Brom.

Portsmouth decided against signing Baros permanently, and he returned to Lyon. Euro 2008 was next, and Czech Republic coach Karel Bruckner tried Baros as a striker to regain the magic he had in the 2004 tournament.

All he found was a yellow card in a match against Turkey. The fact that he didn't play in the match and wasn't on the pitch during the booking just made matters worse. 

Milan Baros' career had hit rock bottom and there was no indication if there would be any recovery. This past summer, Turkish champions Galatasaray S.K. obtained him from Lyon.

Baros is currently the leading scorer on the Turkish club with eight goals in nine league matches. He's doing his part in the UEFA Cup as well with four goals in six matches. Former Liverpool teammate Harry Kewell has also find a new gear alongside Baros in Galatasaray.

The Turkish League is growing and becoming considerably respectable. It may not be the EPL or La Liga, but Milan Baros is loving life in Turkey.