PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Yunus Akgün |
| Date of Birth | 7 July 2000 (Age: 26) |
| Place of Birth | Istanbul, Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Height | 1.73 m / 5 ft 8 in |
| Weight | — |
| Position | Right Winger / Attacking Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | — |
| Squad Number | #11 (Galatasaray) |
| Current Club | Galatasaray |
| Previous Clubs | Adana Demirspor (loan), Leicester City (loan) |
| International Caps | 21 |
| International Goals | 4 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2029 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
Konya Metropolitan Municipality Stadium, Konya. October 15, 2023. Turkey and Latvia, locked in a Euro 2024 qualifier. For Yunus Akgün, the 23-year-old winger who had just returned to Galatasaray from his second loan spell, this was the moment that announced his arrival on the international stage.
He had made his senior debut for Turkey the previous year, scoring on his second appearance against Lithuania in June 2022. But his first competitive start and goal on home soil came against Latvia—a composed finish, his second senior international goal, as Turkey cruised to a 4-0 victory.
Three years later, on June 2, 2026, Akgün was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Turkey were drawn in Group A alongside Australia, Paraguay, and the United States. The tournament was a disappointment—a 2-0 loss to Australia, a 1-0 defeat to Paraguay, and a 3-2 win over the USA that came too late. Akgün started against Australia and Paraguay, unable to find the spark that had made him a key player for Galatasaray.
The boy from Istanbul who had grown up in Galatasaray’s youth academy, who had helped Adana Demirspor win promotion, who had played for Leicester City in the English Championship, who had become a key player for Galatasaray in the 2024–25 season, had experienced the ultimate stage—but without the result his nation had dreamed of.
Origins
Yunus Akgün was born on July 7, 2000, in the Küçükçekmece district of Istanbul, Turkey, into a family of four. His mother is a homemaker, while his father previously worked in a factory and later took on a supportive role in his son’s career. He has a younger brother, born in 2008, who is also involved in football. His family background includes roots in Kastamonu on his mother’s side, while his father is of Albanian descent.
His footballing journey began with Kosova Güç Spor before joining Galatasaray’s youth academy in 2011. On July 4, 2017, he signed his first professional contract with the club. He made his professional debut on August 5, 2018, in the Turkish Super Cup final against Akhisar Belediyespor. His first Süper Lig appearance came on August 27, 2018, against Alanyaspor, where he also recorded his first assist.
Akgün is a product of the Galatasaray youth academy, joining in 2011. He made his professional debut for Galatasaray in the 2018 Turkish Super Cup 1–1 (5–4) penalty shootout loss against Akhisar Belediyespor on 5 August 2018.
On 29 January 2019, Akgün scored a hat-trick in 4–1 win of Turkish Cup match against Boluspor.
His international career began with Turkey’s youth teams. He represented Turkey U16, U17, U19, U20, and U21 levels, amassing 47 caps and scoring 10 goals across all youth levels. He played at the 2017 UEFA European Under-17 Championship and the 2017 FIFA U-17 World Cup.
He made his senior debut for Turkey on June 4, 2022, in a UEFA Nations League match against the Faroe Islands. He scored his first goal for Turkey on his second appearance, netting the fifth goal in a 6-0 away win against Lithuania on June 7, 2022.
He was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.
On 2 June 2026, Akgün was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
The Forge
Galatasaray (2018–2020):
Akgün made his breakthrough at Galatasaray in the 2018–19 season, making 11 Süper Lig appearances and scoring 4 goals in the Turkish Cup, including a hat-trick against Boluspor. He also made his UEFA Champions League debut against Porto, becoming the youngest Galatasaray player to feature in the competition since Emre Belözoğlu.
Adana Demirspor (Loan, 2020–2022):
In the 2020–21 season, Akgün was loaned to Adana Demirspor in the TFF First League. He played a key role in the club’s promotion to the Süper Lig, making 28 appearances, scoring 5 goals, and providing 3 assists. His performances convinced Adana Demirspor to extend his loan for another season. In the 2021–22 season, he made 38 appearances, scoring 9 goals and providing 17 assists. Over his two-season loan, he made 62 league appearances and scored 13 goals.
Return to Galatasaray (2022–2023):
Akgün returned to Galatasaray for the 2022–23 season, making 25 Süper Lig appearances and scoring 1 goal. He was part of the squad that won Galatasaray’s 23rd Süper Lig title, securing the championship with two weeks to spare.
Leicester City (Loan, 2023–2024):
On August 26, 2023, Akgün joined English Championship side Leicester City on a season-long loan. He made his debut three days later in the EFL Cup against Tranmere Rovers. On January 27, 2024, he scored his first goal for the club in the FA Cup against Birmingham City. He made 23 league appearances and scored 1 goal as Leicester won the Championship title and promotion to the Premier League.
Return to Galatasaray (2024–Present):
Akgün returned to Galatasaray for the 2024–25 season and had a career-defining campaign. He played 44 matches across all competitions, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists. His goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the UEFA Europa League was voted the best goal of the competition’s season by UEFA.
On August 5, 2025, it was announced that his contract was extended until the end of the 2028–29 season. On April 22, 2025, he made his 100th official appearance for Galatasaray in a Turkish Cup match against Konyaspor.
In the 2025–26 season, Akgün has made 28 Süper Lig appearances, scoring 7 goals. He has also featured in Champions League matches. He is under contract until 2029.
The Anatomy of His Game
Yunus Akgün is a 26-year-old right winger defined by his technical ability, creativity, and versatility. Standing at 1.73 meters, he is a nimble attacker who can play on either flank.
In Possession:
Akgün is a technically gifted dribbler and composed finisher. In the 2024–25 season, he recorded 12 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances across all competitions. His goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League was voted the best goal of the season by UEFA. In the 2025–26 season, he has made 28 Süper Lig appearances, scoring 7 goals. Across his Galatasaray career, he has made 99 Süper Lig appearances and scored 16 goals.
Out of Possession:
Akgün is a willing runner who contributes defensively. His ability to press from the front and recover possession makes him valuable in modern systems. He has shown discipline, with no career red cards.
Psychological Edge:
Akgün’s mental resilience is his defining quality. He has overcome the challenges of adapting to a new country and league during his loan at Leicester City. His 2024–25 season at Galatasaray demonstrated his ability to become a key player after years of loans and limited playing time. His international career has progressed steadily from youth levels to the senior team, where he has earned 21 caps.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Süper Lig (Galatasaray) | 28 | — | 7 | — | — |
| UEFA Champions League (Galatasaray) | 9 | — | 2 | — | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 (Turkey) | 2 | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| TOTAL | 39 | — | 9 | — | — |
TABLE B: Career (League)
| Season | Club | League | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–19 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 11 | 0 |
| 2019–20 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 5 | 1 |
| 2020–21 | Adana Demirspor (loan) | TFF First League | 28 | 5 |
| 2021–22 | Adana Demirspor (loan) | Süper Lig | 34 | 8 |
| 2021–22 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 0 | 0 |
| 2022–23 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 25 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 1 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | Leicester City (loan) | Championship | 23 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 30 | 7 |
| 2025–26 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 28 | 7 |
| TOTAL | — | — | ~185 | 30 |
TABLE C: International Record (2022–2026)
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| UEFA Nations League | 7 | 2 |
| UEFA Euro 2024 Qualifying | 2 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 Qualifying | 3 | 1 |
| Friendlies | 7 | 1 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 |
| TOTAL | 21 | 4 |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2011 | Galatasaray Academy | Joined youth setup |
| 2017 | Professional Contract | Signed with Galatasaray |
| 2018 | Senior Debut | Turkish Super Cup vs Akhisarspor |
| 2018 | Champions League Debut | vs Porto |
| 2019 | Turkish Cup Hat-trick | vs Boluspor |
| 2020 | Adana Demirspor Loan | First loan spell |
| 2021 | Adana Demirspor Promotion | Helped club to Süper Lig |
| 2022 | Turkey Debut | vs Faroe Islands |
| 2022 | First International Goal | vs Lithuania |
| 2023 | Leicester City Loan | Joined Championship club |
| 2023 | Süper Lig Title | With Galatasaray |
| 2024 | Championship Title | With Leicester City |
| 2024 | Euro 2024 Selection | Named in Turkey squad |
| 2025 | Galatasaray Contract Extension | Until 2029 |
| 2025 | 100th Galatasaray Appearance | vs Konyaspor |
| 2025 | Europa League Goal of Season | vs Tottenham Hotspur |
| 2026 | World Cup Selection | Named in Turkey’s 26-man squad |
What these figures reveal is a player of consistent progression. Akgün has accumulated over 185 professional appearances by age 26, scoring 30 goals across Turkey and England. His 21 international caps and 4 goals for Turkey reflect his importance to the national team. His contract extension until 2029 demonstrates Galatasaray’s belief in his ability. His 2024–25 season—12 goals and 14 assists in 44 appearances—was a career-defining campaign.
The Present Tense
Yunus Akgün is 26 years old, entering the prime of his career. He is Galatasaray’s winger, a Turkish international with 21 caps, and a 2026 World Cup participant.
The Galatasaray Story:
Akgün has made 147 appearances across all competitions for Galatasaray, scoring 28 goals and providing numerous assists. He has won the Süper Lig title (2022–23) and is under contract until 2029. His 2024–25 season was his breakthrough—44 appearances, 12 goals, and 14 assists, including a Europa League goal voted the best of the season.
The World Cup Campaign:
Akgün was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He started Turkey’s opening two group matches against Australia and Paraguay, but the performances did not click. Turkey finished third in their group with 3 points after a 3-2 win over the USA in their final match, and were eliminated.
International Record:
Akgün has earned 21 caps for Turkey since his debut in 2022, scoring 4 goals. He has represented Turkey at UEFA Euro 2024 and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has represented Turkey at youth levels from U16 to U21, making 47 appearances and scoring 10 goals.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Yunus Akgün is defined by his journey from Galatasaray’s youth academy to the World Cup. Born in Istanbul into a family of four, he joined the Galatasaray academy in 2011 and worked his way through the ranks. His background includes roots in Kastamonu on his mother’s side and Albanian descent on his father’s side.
His career has been marked by perseverance. He spent two seasons on loan at Adana Demirspor, helping the club win promotion and establish itself in the Süper Lig. He then made the leap to English football with Leicester City, adapting to a new country and league. His return to Galatasaray in 2024 saw him become a key player, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in a career-defining season.
His goal against Tottenham Hotspur in the Europa League—voted the best goal of the competition’s season by UEFA—was a moment of personal triumph.
The Verdict from the Camp
Hürriyet
, on Akgün’s World Cup ambitions:
Akgün said: “We believe we can achieve this. Every player dreams of the World Cup. We have the strength and quality to do it.” Regarding the group stage, he said: “In the World Cup, no match is easy. They are all matches we can win.”
LCFC
, on Akgün’s signing:
I’m so excited to be here. All young players dream about playing for their national team, so I’ve achieved that dream of mine. I’ve heard so much about Leicester City. All players from Turkey, their dream would be to play abroad in Europe.
AA
, on Akgün’s Leicester City loan:
Galatasaray’s Turkish winger Yunus Akgun has joined Leicester City, the English Premier League side announced. “I’m so excited to be here.”
TFF
, on Akgün’s contract:
Akgün’s contract with Galatasaray was renewed on July 16, 2026, running until June 30, 2029.
Galatasaray SK
, on Akgün’s 2024–25 season:
Akgün had the best season of his career in 2024–25, scoring 12 goals and providing 14 assists in 44 matches. He has been a key part of the team.
Where Next?
Yunus Akgün is 26 years old and entering the prime of his career. He is established at Galatasaray, a Turkish international with 21 caps, and a World Cup participant.
For Turkey
, Akgün is a key player for the future. At 26, he has already earned 21 caps and played in a World Cup. He will be expected to continue contributing to the national team in future tournaments, including Euro 2028.
For Galatasaray
, Akgün is a valuable asset. He has signed a contract extension until 2029. He has established himself as a key player, contributing 12 goals and 14 assists in the 2024–25 season. He is one of the club’s most important attacking players.
His career trajectory is one of steady progression—from Galatasaray’s academy to the first team, from loans at Adana Demirspor to a loan at Leicester City, from a debut in 2018 to a World Cup participant. He has overcome the challenges of adapting to a new country during his Leicester loan and has established himself as one of Turkey’s best wingers.
The boy from Istanbul who joined Galatasaray at 11, who spent years on loan developing his game, who helped Adana Demirspor win promotion, who played in the English Championship, who won the Europa League Goal of the Season, who represented Turkey at a World Cup—Yunus Akgün’s journey is a story of perseverance, growth, and the pursuit of a dream on football’s greatest stage.
