Benfica midfielder Kokcu joins Besiktas, set for historic Turkish transfer

Orkun Kokcu is now a Besiktas player. It is striking that one of Benfica's star players has left the top tier of European football to join the Turkish Super League at just 24 years old. His disagreement with Bruno Lage at the Club World Cup may have played a significant role in his move to the Istanbul club.

Valued by BeSoccer at 60.5 million euros, the midfielder arrives on loan, although he will become the most expensive signing in Turkish football history next July. If no one surpasses the figure by then, the 25 million that the 'black eagles' are obliged to pay will set a record.

Kokcu is a Turkey international, but he was not born in the country. On December 29, 2000, he was born in Haarlem, Netherlands. And until now, he has never played in the nation whose shirt he defends at the international level. Having emerged from the Feyenoord academy, it was not until 2023 that he left Dutch football to join Benfica.

The Lisbon side paid the same 25 million that they are going to receive next July. In his first year, he recorded seven goals and 11 assists, figures to take into account for a player away from the area. But this season, he surpassed himself with 12 goals and another 11 assists. Hence, his departure was unexpected, especially to join Besiktas, a historic club but one that does not usually aspire to 'top' players in their prime.

The arrivals of Kokcu and Tammy Abraham are the most notable for a team that wants to regain its place on the podium. In their country, they have traditionally been behind Galatasaray and Fenerbahce, but this year they were also surpassed in the table by Samsunspor. Fourth place has led them to a Europa League qualifier in which they debut this Thursday against a always tough Shakhtar Donetsk.