Pepe helped pay several Besiktas staff members before rescinding his own contract

Portugal's veteran centreback has left Besiktas six months before the end of his contract, with the Turkish club facing significant financial issues.

The 35-year old Portugal international was believed to be earning more than €250,000 in salary every month with the Turkish emblem, making him one the best paid players at the club.

And with Besiktas being knocked out of all European competition, the need to offload players became a reality, with Pepe one of the first to go in a bid to balance the books.

Indeed, in addition to agreeing to cancel his contract well before its expiry date, therefore giving up well over 1 million euros of payment, Spanish news agency Marca have also revealed that Pepe even helped pay staff members at the club, such as chefs and ground maintenance staff, the wages they were due, with Besiktas unable to fulfil the obligation.

It is a terrific gesture from the Portuguese international, who has used money out of his own pocket to pay some of the club's staff over the past month, while the agreement to cancel his contract is vital in enabling Besiktas to get back on track financially.

Pepe has been a great servant at Besiktas, playing 52 games in total over one and a half seasons, having played 17 Turkish league matches this season.

What's more, Pepe has shown incredible scoring prowess from defence, finding the back of the net on 5 occasions this season. 

His departure, however, means that he will now be free to sign for any club for free in the upcoming window, which opens on January 1st.

Indeed, Pepe leaving means that only one Portuguese player remains at the club, with winger and fellow European champion Ricardo Quaresma still on the books of Besiktas.