Belgian international Sam Deroo will continue his career at Turkish Halkbank (Ankara). The news was reported by the Turkish specialized website Voleybol Plus.
The 34-year-old outside hitter arrives at Radostin Stoychev's team after one season with Russian Lokomotiv (Novosibirsk), with whom he won bronze medals in the Superleague. In 18 championship matches, Deroo scored 141 points, finishing the season with 50% attack efficiency and 41% positive reception.
His campaign, however, was interrupted for more than three months after he returned to Belgium to undergo a course of chemotherapy due to a relapse of an oncological disease. Despite the severe ordeal, the experienced volleyball player managed to return to the court before the end of the season.
Before his stay in Novosibirsk, Deroo spent three seasons at Zenit (Kazan) between 2022 and 2025, and before that he defended the colors of Dynamo (Moscow). During his career in Russia, the Belgian won four championship titles.
According to Voleybol Plus, Istanbul Genclik, who finished sixth in the Turkish championship last season, also showed interest in Deroo.
With the signing of the Belgian international, Halkbank further strengthens its line of outside hitters, which already includes veteran Matey Kaziyski, Bulgarian international Denislav Bardarov, and Turkish international Yiğit Aslan.
The team from Ankara has already signed Turkish national setter Murat Yenipazar this summer, as well as Brazilian international opposite Darlan. In the new season, Halkbank, who finished third in the Turkish league, will participate in the CEV Cup tournament.

photo: lokovolley.com