Fenerbahce have strengthened their back line before the new season. The Turkish club have officially announced the signing of Nathan Ake, who is set to join the squad during their summer training camp in Austria.
Fenerbahce land experienced Manchester City defender
Nathan Ake has officially joined Fenerbahce after several years at Manchester City. The Turkish side confirmed that they have reached an agreement with the Netherlands international and signed him to a contract.
The 31-year-old is expected to link up with his new teammates after a short post-World Cup break. His arrival is planned for Fenerbahce’s pre-season camp in Austria, where the team will prepare for domestic competition and European qualifiers.
Ake had been at Manchester City since 2020, when he moved from Bournemouth for around €45 million. Under Pep Guardiola, he became a reliable squad member and collected major trophies, including Premier League titles and the Champions League.
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Possible debut in Champions League
The transfer is also relevant for Polish football. Fenerbahce will face Gornik Zabrze in the second qualifying round of the Champions League. The first leg is scheduled for 21 July in Istanbul, with the return match set for 28 July in Zabrze.
If Ake completes his integration quickly, he could be available for that tie. Before then, Fenerbahce will play several friendlies during their Austrian camp, including a match against Pogon Szczecin on 11 July.
The Turkish club have not disclosed the transfer fee. According to Fabrizio Romano, the deal is worth £7 million plus £1.5 million in add-ons.
For Fenerbahce, this is a significant defensive reinforcement. For Gornik, it means an already difficult opponent has become even stronger before a historic European tie. The Polish side are returning to this level of competition after many years, while Fenerbahce are building a squad designed to fight for a place in the Champions League league phase.