HARRY Kewell has written an open letter to Leeds United fans to try to quell their anger over his move to Turkish club Galatasaray.

The Socceroo star has signed with the Istanbul-based team on a two-year deal as a free agent.

But supporters at former club Leeds, whose fans Christopher Loftus and Kevin Speight were stabbed to death by Turkish hooligans on the eve of a UEFA Cup match against Galatasaray in 2000, are upset about his move.

Kewell said he still felt strongly about Leeds and had chosen his number at Galatasaray (19) as a mark of respect for his former club.

He said that to blame Galatasaray club for the deaths of the two Leeds fans eight years ago was "simply wrong and discriminatory".

■ Manchester United winger Cristiano Ronaldo has had surgery on his right ankle at a hospital in Amsterdam.

The club said the procedure appeared to have been successful. Ronaldo scored 42 goals for the Red Devils last season.

AAP, AP