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Kerem Akturkoglu, who has recently been linked with a move to Turkish giants Besiktas, has made headlines again—this time with a social media post that appears to clarify his short-term plans.
The 26-year-old winger joined Benfica last season and played a key role in the team’s success, helping them lift the Portuguese League Cup.
Despite a productive campaign, reports from the Portuguese media suggested that Akturkoglu was unhappy at the club and considering a return to Türkiye.
Following those exit rumors, Akturkoglu took to Instagram to reveal his new shirt number for the 2025–26 season.
The post featured the caption “Back again with No. 7,” which led many fans and commentators to interpret it as a sign that he intends to stay with Benfica.
The post drew thousands of likes and comments within hours, with some followers congratulating him on the new number and others still speculating about a possible return to the Turkish Super Lig.
Akturkoglu enjoyed an impressive debut season with the Portuguese side. Across all competitions, he made 53 appearances, racking up 16 goals and 13 assists in 3,444 minutes of action.
While rumors about a potential move to Besiktas have intensified in recent weeks—especially after the club’s high-profile signing of Orkun Kokcu—Akturkoglu’s “I’m back” message may have put an end to that speculation, at least for now.
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