Robin van Persie on Tuesday signed for Fenerbahce from Manchester United on a three year deal, the Istanbul giants announced, in one of the most significant transfers by a Turkish Super Lig side in recent years.

An estimated 18,000 fans clad in the iconic navy blue and yellow stripes of Fenerbahce turned out at its Sukru Saracoglu stadium in Istanbul to witness van Persie’s signing ceremony, chanting his name and letting off flares.

The former Feyenoord and Arsenal player will be paid 4.9 million euros ($5.4m/£3.5m) a year on his three-year contract, excluding match bonuses, Fenerbahce said in a statement.

His transfer fee is reportedly 4.7 million euros (£3.4m, $5.2m) although this has yet to be officially disclosed.

“I am now part of the Fenerbahce family,” van Persie told fans in comments barely audible amid the deafening atmosphere in the stadium.

“I promise I will do everything in my power to make Fenerbahce win as many trophies as possible to make these fans happy.”

Van Persie said at a news conference later that it was the “passion” of Turkish football that had helped attract him to Istanbul.

“You have seen just now 17-18,000 fans, it’s unbelievable, it’s the first time in my life I experienced anything like that.”

“I am very humbled,” he said.

Van Persie’s signing draws the curtain on three up-and-down years at Manchester United which began in a blaze of promise but ended in injury problems and faltering form.

Van Persie, 31, made 105 appearances and scored 58 goals at Manchester United after joining in August 2012 following his eight-year stint at Arsenal.

But last season was marred by an ankle ligament injury and rumours of tension between himself and Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal, who had guided van Persie and his countrymen to third place in the World Cup finals.

Yet Van Persie said he had “no hard feelings” about the manner of his exit from Old Trafford.

“It was a situation where I could see it coming and I could get used to the idea (of leaving Manchester United) for quite a bit,” van Persie said.

“That is football.”