Turkish star Ibrahim Kutluay has completed his anticipated move back to Greek giants Panathinaikos after an unsuccessful NBA adventure.

		“	I worship this city, I love Panathinaikos	„
		Ibrahim Kutluay

The 31-year-old shooting guard, who was waived by the Seattle SuperSonics on Tuesday, has agreed a contract lasting until the end of the current season with the Greens.

Kutluay, the first Turkish player to grace the Greek top flight, is delighted to have agreed a return to Panathinaikos where he played once before.

"When I left, half my heart was still in Athens. I worship this city, I love Panathinaikos," Kutluay told Greek broadcaster Supersport.

"I had two great years here and I'm so happy to be returning to meet up with some old team-mates."

Kutluay, signed by the Sonics as a free agent on September 22, played in five games after being activated from the injured list on December 14.

He missed the season's first 21 games with patellar tendinitis in his left knee but eventually became the fourth Turkish player in NBA history when he made his debut on December 22 against Denver.

In 12 minutes of action in his five appearances off the bench, he grabbed one rebound and committed two turnovers.

Although disappointed by his NBA experience, Kutluay is looking forward to helping Pana battle for a seventh domestic title in eight seasons and a possible fourth Euroleague title.

"Seattle said that I would be playing 10-15 minutes every game but I got injured when the season started," he said.

"When I returned I was kept on the bench because the team was doing well. I spoke with the coach and told him I wanted to play but I never really got a chance.

"Seattle had offers to exchange me and there were three other NBA teams interested but when I heard Panathinaikos were interested the decision was easy for me.

"I am looking forward to working under [coach]  Zeljko Obradovic."

As well as playing for Pana previously, Kutluay was a member of the triumphant AEK Athens squad in 2001 when he was named MVP of the Greek Cup.