Shane Larkin has officially ended his historic eight-year spell with Anadolu Efes, closing one of the defining EuroLeague dynasties of the modern era after reportedly activating a buyout clause to leave the club, with a move to rivals Fenerbahce now widely expected.
The two-time EuroLeague champion delivered an emotional farewell message reflecting on his time in Istanbul, calling the club his “second home” after arriving on what was initially supposed to be a short-term deal.
“Hey, everyone. I’m still trying to process everything that has happened. Honestly, I don’t even know if I have the right words right now to describe everything over the past few months. I’ve been thinking about what I want to say, how I want to say it, and when to say it, because eight years is truly a long time.
When I first signed a contract eight years ago and came to Istanbul, I didn’t even know what I was really committing to.
I thought I would come on a one-year deal, play a good season, develop as a player and as a person, and then move somewhere else to continue my career. But I had no idea that this place would truly become my second home.
It helped me develop in so many ways, both on and off the court, and I am deeply grateful for all the opportunities I was given here. This became my home.
Over these eight years, a lot has happened. We had great seasons, we had tough periods, we won titles. We went through the COVID-19 pandemic together, basically through everything that can happen to a basketball team and a player. We went through ups and downs together and truly felt like a family.
I also want to thank all the coaches. Of course, there were many changes in recent years and many different coaches, but I always tried to build a good relationship with each of them.
I gave my maximum for all of them, and I don’t think it is easy to work in an environment where titles are expected every single day and where the pressure is huge. Still, I believe everyone gave their best and I truly appreciate that. Thank you,” he said, and then continued:
Eight years. Countless memories…
— Shane Larkin (@shanelarkin) July 1, 2026
Thank you @AnadoluEfesSK 🤞🏼 pic.twitter.com/5SnWSa7kMq
“I always tried to be fully committed and represent the club in the best possible way through my work. I came to practice every day with that mindset. I hope you understand my side of the story as well as I understand yours. I know it wasn’t easy, but thank you for everything.
And finally, the most important part – thank you to the fans. You supported me through everything, in good times and bad. There were moments when things didn’t look great for me, but you stood by me. You kept cheering for me and supporting me. Without you, I would never have reached the level I reached here. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you.
In the end, every chapter has to end. Sometimes it’s best for both sides, and I truly believe that, given everything happening, it is now the right time for both me and the club to go our separate ways, no matter how emotionally and mentally difficult that is. I really believe this is the right decision for both sides at this moment.
But that does not take away from everything we went through over the past eight years. It doesn’t erase a single memory, a single success, or failure we experienced together. All of that will stay in my heart forever. Some of the best moments of my life happened here, and I will always keep them as something special,” Larkin concluded.
During his time at Anadolu Efes, where he had been since 2018, Larkin won the EuroLeague in 2021 and 2022. In 2022, he was named to the All-EuroLeague First Team, while just a year earlier he was selected to the All-EuroLeague Second Team. He was also the EuroLeague Top Scorer in 2020.
He won the Turkish Super League title three times – in 2019, 2021 and 2023 – and interestingly, he lifted the Turkish Cup only once, in 2022. He also won four Turkish Super Cup trophies, which complete all the titles he achieved with Anadolu Efes.
Larkin’s new club is already known, as he is expected to soon become a new member of Fenerbahce, and this transfer undoubtedly represents one of the biggest moves of the century in EuroLeague.
