PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Mehmet Zeki Çelik |
| Date of Birth | 17/02/1997 (Age: 29) |
| Place of Birth | Bursa, Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Height | 1.80 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 74-78 kg |
| Position | Right-Back / Right Wing-Back |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #19 |
| Current Club | Juventus |
| Previous Clubs | Bursaspor, İstanbulspor, Lille, Roma |
| International Caps | 63+ |
| International Goals | 3 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2029 |
| Market Value | €8.7M |
The Frozen Moment
July 2026. The FIFA World Cup. Turkey, a nation with a proud footballing history, were competing on the world stage with Zeki Çelik as one of their most experienced campaigners. The 29-year-old right-back from Bursa had been selected in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the tournament, adding to his 63 international caps.
Çelik started Turkey’s opening World Cup match against Australia, playing 81 minutes in a 2-0 defeat. He featured again against the United States in a thrilling 3-2 victory, earning a 7.6 FotMob rating for his performance.
But the tournament would ultimately be a personal milestone rather than a collective triumph. Turkey’s campaign was a learning experience on the global stage, and Çelik returned from the tournament with renewed focus. Within weeks, a new chapter would begin—a move that would see him join one of Italy’s most storied clubs.
On July 16, 2026, Juventus officially announced the signing of Zeki Çelik on a contract running until 2029. The boy from Bursa who had started his career in the Turkish lower leagues had risen to become a mainstay in Serie A, and now he was wearing the iconic black and white stripes of the Bianconeri.
Origins
Born on February 17, 1997, in Bursa, Turkey, Mehmet Zeki Çelik grew up in one of the country’s most historic cities. His football journey began at Bursaspor’s youth academy, where he developed the foundations of his game.
In July 2015, Çelik was promoted to Bursaspor’s first team and was immediately loaned to Bursa Nilüfer to gain senior experience. The following season, in August 2016, he transferred to İstanbulspor, a move that would define his early professional career.
At İstanbulspor, Çelik established himself as a reliable right-back. In the 2016-17 season, he helped the club win the Turkish third division title—his first taste of silverware. The following season, he made 33 appearances in the 1. Lig, scoring 3 goals and showcasing his attacking potential from the full-back position. His performances at İstanbulspor, totalling 64 appearances, caught the attention of European scouts.
The European Forge
Lille (2018-2022):
On July 5, 2018, Çelik signed for Lille in Ligue 1 for a fee of €2.5 million. The move represented a significant step up in his career. He hit the ground running, making 34 league appearances in his debut season and providing 5 assists from right-back.
Çelik’s time at Lille was defined by consistency and reliability. Across four seasons in Ligue 1, he made 118 appearances. The pinnacle came in the 2020-21 season, when Lille won the Ligue 1 title—a historic achievement that ended Paris Saint-Germain’s dominance. He was a key contributor, scoring 3 goals and providing 2 assists in 29 appearances that season. He also won the Trophée des Champions in the 2021-22 season.
In total, across all competitions for Lille, Çelik made 143 appearances, scoring 8 goals and providing 14 assists. His reliability and technical quality made him one of the most consistent right-backs in French football.
Roma (2022-2026):
On July 5, 2022, Roma announced the signing of Çelik on a contract running until 2026. The move to Serie A was a new challenge for the Turkish international.
His time at Roma was marked by steady contributions. In the 2022-23 season, he made 24 Serie A appearances and featured in the Europa League final, where Roma lost to Sevilla on penalties after a 1-1 draw. Over four seasons at Roma, he accumulated 106 appearances in all competitions, scoring 1 goal and providing 5 assists.
His breakthrough goal for Roma came on February 14, 2025, in the Europa League knockout phase play-offs against Porto—a crucial strike that earned his side a 1-1 draw. He also contributed key assists, including setting up Tammy Abraham against Milan and Dovbyk against Verona.
The Juventus Chapter
Juventus (2026-Present):
On July 16, 2026, Juventus announced the signing of Zeki Çelik on a contract running until June 30, 2029. The move brought the Turkish international to one of Italy’s most decorated clubs.
The official club statement highlighted his experience: “Born in 1997, Çelik arrives in Turin with a wealth of experience gained, most recently, in France and Italy. After distinguishing himself in his home country until 2018, he spent four seasons at Lille, where he helped the club win a French league title and a French Super Cup, standing out for his consistency and reliability. His career continued in 2022 with a move to Roma, a spell that allowed him to test himself against the pace of Serie A, whilst consolidating his role as a key player for the Turkish national team, for whom he has also been captain.”
The Anatomy of His Game
Zeki Çelik is a dependable right-back or right wing-back who combines positional intelligence with tenacious tackling. At 180 cm, he possesses a well-rounded physical profile.
In Possession:
Çelik is a reliable distributor, averaging around 90% pass completion in Ligue 1 during his time at Lille. In the 2025-26 Serie A season, he created 2 assists. He is capable of contributing to attacking phases, though his primary value lies in his defensive reliability. His goal contributions are modest—he has scored 1 goal in 106 appearances for Roma—but his consistency in possession is a key asset.
Out of Possession:
Çelik’s defensive contributions are his defining attribute. In the 2025-26 Serie A season, he recorded 62 tackles (2.04 per 90) and 24 interceptions (0.79 per 90). He won 122 ground duels (4.02 per 90) and 35 aerial duels (1.15 per 90), demonstrating his ability to compete physically. He also made 66 clearances (2.17 per 90) and kept 14 clean sheets in 34 appearances. His consistency and reliability are his standout qualities, described as “standing out for his consistency and reliability” by Juventus.
Psychological Edge:
Çelik’s career demonstrates a steady upward trajectory from the Turkish lower leagues to Ligue 1, Serie A, and now Juventus. His captaincy for the Turkish national team reflects his leadership qualities and the respect he commands within the squad. His experience at the 2026 World Cup, following Turkey’s previous tournament appearances, adds to his international pedigree.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season)
| Competition | Apps | Starts | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Clean Sheets | Yellow Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Serie A | 34 | 32 | 2,732 | 1 | 2 | 14 | 2 |
| Europa League | 10 | — | 811 | 0 | — | — | — |
| Coppa Italia | 1 | 1 | 90 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 2 | 165 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 |
| World Cup Qualifying | 5 | — | — | 1 | — | — | 1 |
| TOTAL | 52 | 35 | 3,798 | 2 | 2 | 14 | 3 |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season(s) | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016-2018 | İstanbulspor | 1. Lig / 2. Lig | 64 | 3 | — |
| 2018-2022 | Lille | Ligue 1 | 118 | 6 | 12 |
| 2022-2026 | Roma | Serie A | 106 | 1 | 5 |
| 2026-Present | Juventus | Serie A | — | — | — |
| TOTAL | — | — | 288+ | 10 | 17+ |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| UEFA Euro 2024 | 3 | — | Quarter-finals |
| UEFA Euro 2020 | 3 | 0 | Group Stage |
| World Cup Qualifying | 5+ | 1+ | — |
| International Friendlies | 40+ | 2+ | — |
| Turkey Senior Career | 63+ | 3 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Turkish Third Division Winner | İstanbulspor |
| 2018 | Senior International Debut | vs Russia |
| 2018 | Lille Transfer | €2.5M move to France |
| 2021 | Ligue 1 Winner | Lille |
| 2021 | Trophée des Champions Winner | Lille |
| 2022 | Roma Transfer | Serie A move |
| 2023 | Europa League Finalist | Roma |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Turkey squad |
| 2026 | Juventus Transfer | Contract until 2029 |
These figures reveal a player of significant experience and consistency. Çelik has accumulated over 280 professional appearances, scored 10 goals, and earned over 63 caps for Turkey. He has won a Ligue 1 title, a Trophée des Champions, and reached a European final with Roma.
The Present Tense
The Juventus Story:
Zeki Çelik is a new signing for Juventus, having joined the club on July 16, 2026, on a contract running until June 2029. The move represents the next chapter in his career after four seasons at Roma. He brings a wealth of experience from Ligue 1 and Serie A, as well as international pedigree as a Turkish international and captain. His arrival at the Allianz Stadium adds depth and reliability to the Bianconeri’s defensive options.
The FIFA Club World Cup Context:
The 2025 FIFA Club World Cup in the United States featured 32 of the world’s leading clubs. Neither Roma nor Lille qualified for the tournament, meaning Çelik has no experience at this level of global competition.
The World Cup Campaign:
The 2026 FIFA World Cup in the United States, Canada, and Mexico marked Çelik’s first appearance at the tournament. He was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad on June 2, 2026. He started against Australia (81 minutes) and the United States (84 minutes) in the group stage. Turkey’s campaign ended in the group stage, but Çelik’s performances included a 7.6 rating against the USA. He has also played a key role in qualifying campaigns, scoring 1 goal in 5 World Cup qualifying appearances.
International Record:
Çelik has earned over 63 caps for Turkey since his debut in 2018. He has scored 3 international goals. He has represented Turkey at UEFA Euro 2020, UEFA Euro 2024 (reaching the quarter-finals), and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. He has also been captain of the national team.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Zeki Çelik is known for his professionalism and reliability. His career has been defined by steady progression—from the Turkish lower leagues to Ligue 1, Serie A, and now Juventus. His consistency and dependability have made him a valued player at every club he has represented.
Çelik’s honours include the Turkish third division title with İstanbulspor (2016-17), the Ligue 1 title with Lille (2020-21), and the Trophée des Champions with Lille (2021-22). He also reached the Europa League final with Roma in 2022-23.
His market value is estimated at €8.7 million, having peaked at €39.2 million in July 2022. He signed a contract with Juventus valid until 2029, earning a weekly wage of approximately €78,846. He wears the number 19 shirt and is represented by an agent.
The Verdict from the Camp
Juventus Official Announcement:
“Zeki Çelik is a new Juventus player. The Turkish wing-back has signed a contract that will keep him at the Bianconeri until 30 June 2029. Born in 1997, Çelik arrives in Turin with a wealth of experience gained, most recently, in France and Italy… standing out for his consistency and reliability.”
Statistic:
Çelik has earned over 63 caps for Turkey and scored 3 international goals.
Statistic:
Çelik made 106 appearances for Roma across all competitions, scoring 1 goal and providing 5 assists.
Statistic:
Çelik made 34 Serie A appearances in the 2025-26 season, keeping 14 clean sheets.
Statistic:
Çelik won the Ligue 1 title with Lille in the 2020-21 season.
Statistic:
Çelik signed a contract with Juventus valid until June 2029.
Where Next?
Zeki Çelik is 29 years old and entering a new and exciting chapter of his career. His move to Juventus on a contract until 2029 offers him the opportunity to compete for domestic honours and establish himself as a key player for the Bianconeri. His experience in Serie A with Roma will serve him well in Turin.
For Turkey, Çelik remains a vital figure. With over 63 caps and leadership experience as captain, he will be central to their ambitions in the next UEFA Euro and World Cup cycles. His experience and defensive reliability make him a key asset for the national team.
From the youth ranks of Bursaspor to the World Cup stage, from the Turkish third division to Ligue 1 and Serie A, Zeki Çelik’s journey is one of steady progression, consistency, and reliability. The boy from Bursa who rose through the Turkish football pyramid has become a mainstay in one of Europe’s top leagues—and now wears the colours of one of Italy’s most decorated clubs.
