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Turkish star Orkun Kokcu signed with Besiktas on Sunday, officially joining the Istanbul club in a highly anticipated move that reunited the midfielder with his boyhood team. The 24-year-old was welcomed at a signing ceremony in front of 20,000 fans at Tupras Stadium.
Besiktas acquired Kokcu on loan from Portuguese club Benfica with an option to buy. If the terms are fulfilled, the player will sign a permanent four-year deal.
Supporters began filling the stands hours before the ceremony, eager to watch the Turkish star don the black-and-white jersey of the "Black Eagles," a club he has long supported..
Kokcu, a lifelong Besiktas fan, has often spoken about attending matches from the stands as a child. Though he had the option to move to one of Europe’s top leagues, the midfielder chose Besiktas, citing his emotional connection to the club.
Speaking to the crowd during the ceremony, Kokcu expressed his joy: “I said I was excited when I got off the plane yesterday, but now I’m even more excited. I can’t believe this is real. I am the happiest person in the world right now.”
He urged fans to support the team and added, “Let’s win trophies. Let’s win championships.”
After signing, Kokcu took to the pitch, led fans in the traditional chant, and kicked balls into the stands. One supporter even entered the pitch to embrace the midfielder, joining him in another cheer.
Club President Serdal Adali opened the ceremony, saying Kokcu's signing represented more than a simple transfer.
“We are not here solely for a signing ceremony,” Adali said. “We are here to witness and declare the visible resurgence and revival that our community has deeply felt in recent times.”
Kokcu’s football journey began in the Netherlands, where he was born and raised. His talent was first spotted by Martin Koeman, father of Dutch football legend Ronald Koeman, while Kokcu was playing with a ball during his brother’s training session at Groningen.
He went on to train with local clubs Olympia Haarlem and HFC EDO Haarlem before joining Groningen and later Feyenoord, where his career took off.
Kokcu joined Feyenoord at age 13 and debuted for the senior team on Dec. 9, 2018, scoring and assisting in a 4–1 win over Emmen.
Over his Feyenoord career, he made 175 appearances and scored 32 goals, winning the Eredivisie and Dutch Super Cup before transferring to Benfica in 2023 for a reported €30 million—one of the most expensive signings in the club’s history.
At Benfica, Kokcu made 98 appearances and scored 19 goals, helping the team win the Portuguese League Cup and Super Cup.
During the 2023 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States, Kokcu had a brief public disagreement with coach Bruno Lage after being substituted against Auckland City.
He later said, “I’m someone who loves to win. The coach makes the decisions, and I must respect that.”
Originally representing the Netherlands at youth level, Kokcu switched allegiance to Türkiye and debuted for the senior national team on Sept. 6, 2020, in a UEFA Nations League match against Serbia under coach Senol Gunes.
Since then, he has earned 41 caps and scored three goals for Türkiye, becoming a mainstay in the national lineup.
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