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Fenerbahce announced Monday that 19-year-old Turkish center-back Yusuf Akcicek has transferred to Saudi Arabian Pro League club Al Hilal, marking a significant move for one of Türkiye's most promising young defenders.
The transfer comes after sustained European interest in Akcicek, with Italian giants Inter Milan reportedly submitting a €16 million offer in late August that Fenerbahce rejected. French clubs Marseille and Paris Saint-Germain, along with Germany's Stuttgart, had also been tracking the defender since last year.
Fenerbahce had previously valued Akcicek at €20 million and expressed preference for keeping him at least one more season. The club has not disclosed the transfer fee to Al Hilal.
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The Istanbul-born defender, who stands 1.93 meters tall, has made 26 senior appearances for Fenerbahce across all competitions since his professional debut in November 2023. This season, he appeared in seven matches totaling approximately 590 minutes across the Super Lig, UEFA Champions League qualifying, and Europa League.
Akcicek's development accelerated under Fenerbahce's recent head coach Jose Mourinho, who gave the young defender increased opportunities in European competition. His performances caught attention across Europe's top leagues despite his limited senior experience.
Akcicek's rapid rise began after joining Fenerbahce's academy in 2019 from Galatasaray's youth system. He signed his first professional contract in 2023 and made his Super Lig debut in May 2024 against Istanbulspor.
The left-footed defender has represented Türkiye at multiple youth levels, accumulating 29 appearances with one goal across U17, U18, U19, and senior teams. He earned two senior caps for the national team, establishing himself as a key prospect for Türkiye's defensive future.
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