PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Samet Akaydin |
| Date of Birth | 13/03/1994 (Age: 32) |
| Place of Birth | Trabzon, Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Height | 1.90 m / 6 ft 3 in |
| Weight | 83 kg |
| Position | Centre-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #3 |
| Current Club | Free Agent |
| Previous Clubs | Trabzonspor (youth), Boluspor, Arsinspor, Sancaktepe, Şanlıurfaspor, Keçiörengücü, Adanaspor, Fenerbahçe, Panathinaikos, Çaykur Rizespor |
| International Caps | 14 |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | — |
| Market Value | €1.2M |
The Frozen Moment
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. Turkey, the Crescent-Stars, had arrived with a squad blending experience and emerging talent. For Samet Akaydin, the 32-year-old centre-back from Trabzon, the tournament was the culmination of a career defined by perseverance and a late international breakthrough.
Akaydin was named in Vincenzo Montella’s 26-man squad for the World Cup, representing his nation on the biggest stage of all. He traveled to North America as part of the squad, but remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament, watching from the sidelines as Turkey reached the quarter-finals.
For the defender who had only debuted for Turkey in 2022 at the age of 28, and who had scored his first international goal against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals, the World Cup was the final piece of a remarkable late-career journey. Just two years earlier, he had been a key figure in Turkey’s Euro 2024 campaign, starting four matches and scoring a goal against the Netherlands. Now, he was part of a squad that had achieved Turkey’s best-ever World Cup performance.
Origins
Born on March 13, 1994, in Trabzon, Turkey, Samet Akaydin’s football journey began in his hometown. He started his youth career at Trabzon İdmanocağı before moving to Trabzonspor’s youth academy. His early professional career took him through a series of clubs in the Turkish lower divisions, including Boluspor, Arsinspor, Sancaktepe, Şanlıurfaspor, Keçiörengücü, and Adanaspor.
Akaydin made his senior debut for the Turkey national team on November 19, 2022, in a friendly 2-1 win over the Czech Republic. He was selected to represent Turkey at UEFA Euro 2024, where he started four matches and scored his first international goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals.
The European Forge
Early Career (2013-2022):
Akaydin’s professional career was defined by a journey through the Turkish lower leagues. He played for multiple clubs, including Boluspor, Arsinspor, Sancaktepe, Şanlıurfaspor, Keçiörengücü, and Adanaspor, before earning a move to Fenerbahçe. His route to the top was unconventional—he had worked his way up from the lower divisions to the Süper Lig.
Fenerbahçe (2022-2024):
Akaydin joined Fenerbahçe, where he established himself as a reliable centre-back. In January 2024, he was loaned to Greek club Panathinaikos with an option to buy. During his time in Greece, he helped Panathinaikos win the Greek Cup.
Çaykur Rizespor (2025-2026):
In January 2025, Akaydin signed for Çaykur Rizespor in the Süper Lig. The 2025/26 season was his most productive at club level. He made 29 league appearances, starting all of them, and accumulated 2,566 minutes of playing time. He scored three goals and provided one assist. Defensively, he recorded 53 tackles, 60 interceptions (placing him in the 99th percentile), and 190 clearances (98th percentile). He kept 8 clean sheets and maintained a 28% clean sheet percentage. He received 11 yellow cards and 1 red card during the season.
His annual salary at Rizespor was reported to be €1,560,000. At the end of the season, his contract expired, and Rizespor announced they were parting ways with the defender.
Turkey National Team (2022-Present):
Akaydin made his debut for Turkey in 2022. He has accumulated 14 caps and scored 1 goal for his country. He was selected for Euro 2024, where he started four matches and scored his first international goal against the Netherlands in the quarter-finals. He also featured in World Cup qualifying, making four appearances and playing 232 minutes. He was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup but did not feature in any matches.
The Anatomy of His Game
Samet Akaydin is a commanding centre-back known for his physical presence, aerial dominance, and defensive intensity. Standing at 190 cm, he is a formidable figure in the penalty area.
In Possession:
Akaydin is a composed passer who contributes to build-up play. In the 2025/26 Süper Lig season, he scored 3 goals and provided 1 assist in 29 appearances. He is right-footed and comfortable playing out from the back. He had 18 shots, with 7 on target.
Out of Possession:
Akaydin’s defensive work is his primary strength. In the 2025/26 season, he recorded 53 tackles, 60 interceptions, and 190 clearances. His 2.10 interceptions per 90 minutes placed him in the 99th percentile, and his 6.65 clearances per 90 minutes placed him in the 98th percentile. He also won 74 aerial duels, placing him in the 90th percentile. He conceded 38 goals in 29 appearances and kept 8 clean sheets. He received 11 yellow cards and 1 red card.
Psychological Edge:
Akaydin’s career is defined by resilience and a late breakthrough. He worked his way up from the Turkish lower divisions to become a national team player, making his debut at age 28. His journey through multiple clubs in the lower leagues demonstrates a player who refused to give up on his dream. He has spoken of his belief in Turkey’s World Cup ambitions, stating: “The country and our national team definitely deserve to go to the World Cup.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps (Starts) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Süper Lig | 29 (29) | 2,566 | 3 | 1 | 11Y 1R |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season/Period | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Çaykur Rizespor | Süper Lig | 29 | 3 |
| 2024/25 | Fenerbahçe/Panathinaikos | Süper Lig/Super League Greece | — | — |
| 2023/24 | Fenerbahçe | Süper Lig | — | — |
| TOTAL | — | — | 388 | 26 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 0 | 0 | Quarter-Finals |
| UEFA Euro 2024 | 4 | 1 | Quarter-Finals |
| World Cup Qualifying | 4 | 0 | Qualified |
| Turkey Senior Career | 14 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Turkey Debut | vs Czech Republic |
| 2024 | Euro 2024 Quarter-Final | Scored vs Netherlands |
| 2025 | Çaykur Rizespor Signing | Joined Süper Lig club |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Turkey squad |
| 2026 | Contract Expiry | Parted ways with Rizespor |
What these figures reveal is a player who has experienced a late-career breakthrough. Akaydin has accumulated 388 professional appearances and 26 goals. His 2025/26 season—29 appearances, 3 goals, and impressive defensive statistics—was his most productive at club level. His 14 caps for Turkey and his Euro 2024 performances demonstrate his importance to the national team.
The Present Tense
Samet Akaydin is 32 years old and at a pivotal moment in his career. He is currently a free agent after his contract with Çaykur Rizespor expired following the 2026 World Cup.
The Contract Situation:
Akaydin’s contract with Rizespor ended in June 2026. The club announced they were parting ways with the defender, thanking him for his contributions: “We thank Samet Akaydin for his efforts, work and professionalism under the Çaykur Rizespor jersey. We wish him success in his new journey. Thank you for everything.”
The World Cup Campaign:
Akaydin was named in Vincenzo Montella’s 26-man Turkey squad for the 2026 World Cup. He traveled to North America as part of the squad but remained an unused substitute throughout the tournament. Turkey reached the quarter-finals, their best-ever World Cup performance.
International Record:
Akaydin has 14 caps for Turkey and has scored 1 international goal. He made his debut in 2022 and has represented Turkey at Euro 2024 and the 2026 World Cup.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Samet Akaydin is a symbol of perseverance and the power of a late career breakthrough. His journey from the Turkish lower leagues to the World Cup is a testament to his determination. He has spoken of his belief in Turkey’s World Cup ambitions, stating: “The country and our national team definitely deserve to go to the World Cup. We have a very high-quality national team, very quality young players, and sources of pride. We have brothers playing football everywhere in Europe.”
Akaydin has won the Greek Cup during his loan spell at Panathinaikos and the Turkish Cup with Fenerbahçe. His career is a story of resilience and the importance of never giving up on one's dream.
The Verdict from the Camp
Vincenzo Montella, Turkey head coach:
Montella named Akaydin in Turkey’s 2026 World Cup squad, trusting him as a defensive option.
Statistic:
Akaydin made 29 Süper Lig appearances for Rizespor in the 2025/26 season, scoring 3 goals and providing 1 assist.
Statistic:
Akaydin has 14 caps for Turkey and scored 1 international goal—against the Netherlands in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
Statistic:
Akaydin recorded 60 interceptions and 190 clearances in the 2025/26 Süper Lig season, placing him in the 99th and 98th percentiles respectively.
Where Next?
Samet Akaydin is 32 years old and a free agent following the expiry of his contract with Çaykur Rizespor. His future in club football is uncertain, with reports of interest from Galatasaray and a previous pre-agreement with Trabzonspor. His next move will be critical in shaping the next phase of his career.
For Turkey, Akaydin’s World Cup experience, even without minutes on the pitch, added to his international pedigree. With 14 caps already, he remains a valuable squad option for the national team if he can secure regular club football.
From the Turkish lower divisions to the World Cup, Samet Akaydin’s journey is one of perseverance, late achievement, and the power of belief. The defender who worked his way up from the lower leagues to represent his country on the biggest stage has earned his place in Turkish football history.
