 Aktürkoğlu playing forGalatasaray in 2021 | |||
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu[1] | ||
| Date of birth | (1998-10-21)21 October 1998 (age 27)[1] | ||
| Place of birth | İzmit, Turkey | ||
| Height | 1.73 m (5 ft 8 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Winger,wide midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Fenerbahçe | ||
| Number | 9 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2011–2013 | Gölcükspor | ||
| 2013–2014 | Hisareynspor | ||
| 2014–2015 | İstanbul Başakşehir | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2015–2018 | İstanbul Başakşehir | 0 | (0) |
| 2016–2017 | →Bodrumspor (loan) | 27 | (4) |
| 2018–2019 | Karacabey Belediyespor | 34 | (3) |
| 2019–2020 | 24 Erzincanspor | 30 | (20) |
| 2020–2024 | Galatasaray | 138 | (39) |
| 2024–2025 | Benfica | 31 | (11) |
| 2025– | Fenerbahçe | 9 | (1) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2015 | Turkey U18 | 2 | (0) |
| 2017 | Turkey U19 | 2 | (1) |
| 2021– | Turkey | 49 | (14) |
| * Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 23 November 2025 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 15 November 2025 | |||
Muhammed Kerem Aktürkoğlu (Turkish pronunciation:[ceˈɾɛmakˈtyɾkoːɫu]; born 21 October 1998) is a Turkish professionalfootballer who plays as awinger orwide midfielder forSüper Lig clubFenerbahçe and theTurkey national team.
Coming throughİstanbul Başakşehir's youth academy, he made his debut in 2016, representing various club in the amateur TurkishTFF Third League, before moving toSüper Lig clubGalatasaray in 2020 on a free transfer, where he made his professional debut and won two back-to-back league titles in2023 and2024. In September 2024, he joined Benfica for a transfer fee of €12 million.
Aktürkoğlu is a former Turkey youth international, representing his country at various levels. He made his senior international debut in 2021, being chosen in Turkey's squads for twoUEFA European Championships (2020 and2024).
Aktürkoğlu was born on 21 October 1998 inİzmit, Turkey. At ten months old, he survived the1999 İzmit earthquake.[2]
Aktürkoğlu began his football career atİstanbul Başakşehir's youth academy,[3] signing his first professional contract with the club in 2015 at the age of 16. Despite his potential, he did not feature in any matches for Başakşehir during his four-year contract.
In 2016, he was loaned toBodrumspor in the amateurTFF Third League to gain playing experience. Reflecting on his time at Başakşehir in a later interview, Aktürkoğlu expressed deep frustration, claiming that "four years of his life were stolen" due to a rigid hierarchy underAbdullah Avcı andEmre Belözoğlu, where senior players exercised significant authority over younger talents. This lack of opportunities brought him to the brink of quitting football, but encouragement from his family convinced him to persevere.[4][5]
In 2017, Aktürkoğlu sought a fresh start and joined fellow Turkish TFF Third League sideKaracabey Belediyespor on a free transfer in search of regular playing time.[5] He became a key player for his new club, featuring in 35 matches over the season and contributing three goals and two assists.[4][5] His efforts helped Karacabey reach the promotion play-offs, but the team was eliminated by Serik Belediyespor on July 15, 2019, following a narrow 4–3 aggregate loss.[4][5]
After several seasons in the amateur leagues, Aktürkoğlu signed with24 Erzincanspor ahead of the 2019–20 season, another free transfer that would prove pivotal in his career.[6] His performances during the season improved, with a notable highlight being Erzincanspor's 2–0 victory overBeşiktaş in thefifth round of theTurkish Cup on 5 December 2019.[6] Over the season, Aktürkoğlu scored an impressive 20 goals in 34 matches, playing a crucial role in his team's success. In the promotion play-offs, he scored his first career hat-trick in a 4–2 semi-final win againstArtvin Hopaspor on 21 July 2020, and contributed to Erzincanspor's 2–1 victory against Aksaray Bld in the final four days later, securing promotion to theTFF 1. Lig.[4]
On 2 September, Aktürkoğlu signed forSüper Lig clubGalatasaray on a four-year contract on a free transfer.[7] He made his professional debut with Galatasaray in a 1–1 league draw againstKayserispor on 23 November 2020,[8] and scored his first goal for the club in a 3–0 win againstHatayspor on 5 December.[9]
On 12 January 2021, having taken nearly three weeks to recover fromCOVID-19, he returned to action againstAntalyaspor; he came off the bench in the late in second half in an eventual 0–0 home draw.[10] On 17 April, Aktürkoğlu scored all three goals in a 3–1 league away draw win againstGöztepe, becoming the third Turkish player to score a hat-trick for Galatasaray sinceYasin Öztekin in December 2016.[11]
On 16 August, Aktürkoğlu was involved in a physical altercation with teammateMarcão during a game againstGiresunspor.[12][13] The fight was broken up by their teammates, before the referee of the match, Erkan Özdamar, who watched the situation after the warning of thevideo assistant referee, sent-off Marcão. Unable to continue playing three minutes after the incident, Aktürkoğlu was taken off the field by managerFatih Terim.[14][15] Two days later, the club announced that Marcão had been suspended from the squad indefinitely and he was later fined and suspended for eight-matches by theTurkish Football Federation. Before Galatasaray training started on 9 September, Marcão publicly apologized to Aktürkoğlu in front of the entire team, with the two solving their issues.[16]
On 21 October, he scored his first goal inEuropean competitions, starting and scoring in a 1–0 victory away atLokomotiv Moscow, in theUEFA Europa Leaguegroup stage.[17] On 14 March 2022, Aktürkoğlu scored a brace in a 2–1 win againstrivals Beşiktaş.[18] He finished the season, with 13 goals and 13 assists in all competitions, being named theSüper Lig Player of the Season, as he missed only one match due to a yellow card suspension, making him the player that feature the most matches in a season in Galatasaray's history, with 52 matches played. However, Galatasaray ended the season in a disappointing 13th place, failing to qualify to any European competition.[19][20]
On 15 December, Aktürkoğlu was named Galatasaray'sthird captain, alongsideFernando Muslera andBafétimbi Gomis.[21][22] During the league break for the2022 FIFA World Cup, he established a strong partnership with the club's new signing,Mauro Icardi. This collaboration was highlighted on 12 November when Aktürkoğlu scored a hat-trick in a 7–0 away win against his former clubBaşakşehir, with Icardi providing two assists for his goals.[23] His prolific form continued into January 2023, he scored the second goal, assisted by Icardi, in a 3–0 victory over crosstown rivalsFenerbahçe in theIntercontinental Derby on 8 January. This was followed by a goal in a 4–0 win against Hatayspor on 13 January and an assist in a 2–1 home win against Antalyaspor on 21 January.[24][25]
After the league resumed in the aftermath of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake, Aktürkoğlu picked up where he left off. On 14 April, he scored a goal and delivered two assists in a 6–0 win over Kayserispor. Four days later, he provided two more assists in a 4–1 victory againstAlanyaspor. On 30 May, he recorded his first career hat-trick of assists in a 4–1 away win overAnkaragücü, securing Galatasaray's 23rd Süper Lig title.[26] The following week, he added another assist in a 3–0 away win against rivals Fenerbahçe in the reverse fixture. Aktürkoğlu finished the season with nine goals and 12 assists, earning recognition as the Süper Lig's top assist provider and a place in the league's Best XI.[27]
The followingseason, with Bafétimbi Gomis' departure, Aktürkoğlu was promoted to vice-captain. The arrival ofWilfried Zaha saw him transition to anattacking midfield role to accommodate Zaha on theleft-wing. This positional shift led to competition withDries Mertens for playing time, indirectly affecting his performances. Nevertheless, on 8 August, he scored his first goal of the season in a 3–0 away win againstOlimpija Ljubljana in a2022–23 Champions League third qualifying round.[28] On 16 August, he netted twice and assisted another goal in a 4–2 home win overSamsunspor. By 26 September, he had accumulated eight goal contributions — three goals and five assists — in his first six league matches, the highest in the league at the time.[29]
On 3 October, he scored his firstUEFA Champions League goal during a 3–2 group stage victory againstManchester United atOld Trafford. He dedicated the goal toPalestinian children affected by theGaza–Israel conflict.[30] In the return fixture on 29 November, he came off the bench to score a crucial equalizer in a 3–3 home draw against Manchester United, a strike later awarded Goal of the Week for the fifth matchday of the Champions League.[31] On 20 December, Aktürkoğlu captained Galatasaray for the first time, scoring the only goal in a 1–0 home win overFatih Karagümrük.[32]
On 11 January 2024, he was sent off for the first time in his career, during a league match againstSivasspor for dissent after shouting at the referee, resulting in a two-match suspension. Upon his return, he scored consecutive braces againstTrabzonspor on 21 January and Istanbulspor on 25 January.[33] Aktürkoğlu finished the season, with 12 goals and seven assists, playing a pivotal role as Galatasaray clinched their second consecutiveSüper Lig title, setting a league record of 102 points.[34]
On 3 September 2024, Aktürkoğlu joinedBenfica on a five-year deal for a reported fee of €12 million, with the club also receiving 10% of a future transfer, and the release clause was set at €60 million.[35][36] On 14 September, Aktürkoğlu scored on his debut for the club, netting the opener in a 4–1 home league victory overSanta Clara.[37] He scored again in Benfica's opening game of their2024–25 Champions League campaign, his first goal in the competition for them, opening their 2–1 win away overRed Star Belgrade.[38] On 27 October, he scored his firstPrimeira Ligahat-trick, netting three goals in the first half of a 5–0 victory overRio Ave. In the process, he registered the most goals and assists (eight) for the club in his first seven matches reachingFélix Guerreiro's previous record set in the1964–65 season.[39][40] At the end of the month, he was named the league's Player of the Month and Forward of the Month for the months of September and October.[41][42]
On 11 January 2025, Aktürkoğlu won his first trophy with Benfica, as they defeatedcrosstown rivalsSporting CP in theTaça da Liga final on penalties, converting Benfica's fourth penalty in the shoot-out; following a 1–1 draw in normal time.[43] On 18 February, in the second leg of theChampions League knockout phase play-offs, he ended his two-month goal drought, scoring the first goal in a 3–3 home draw overMonaco, helping his side secure a 4–3 aggregate victory to advance to theChampions League round of 16.[44]
On 27 August 2025, Aktürkoğlu scored the only goal in a 1–0 victory overFenerbahçe in theChampions League qualifying play-off round, securing his club's place in the competition'sleague phase.[45]
On 1 September 2025, Fenerbahçe signed four-year deal with him,[46] and Benfica announced the transfer for €22.5m and adds on.[47] Later that month, on 14 September, he made his debut with the team in a 1–0 Süper Lig victory againstTrabzonspor.[48]
On 2 October 2025, he scored two goals againstOGC Nice in 2–1UEFA Europa League group match home win.[49]
On 9 November 2025, he scored his firstSüper Lig goal with Fenerbahçe in 4–2 home win againstKayserispor.[50]
Aktürkoğlu representedTurkey atunder-18 andunder-19 levels, for a total of fourcaps. He made hissenior international debut on 27 May 2021 in a friendly againstAzerbaijan.[51] On 1 June 2021, he was named in the Turkish squad for the postponedUEFA Euro 2020, but did not make an appearance in an eventual group stage exit.[52] He scored his first international goal on 8 October 2021 in a 1–1 home draw againstNorway in a2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match.[53]
On 7 June 2024, he was named in Turkey's 26-man squad for theUEFA Euro 2024.[54][55] On 18 June, he scored Turkey's third goal in a 3–1 victory againstGeorgia in the opening match of the European competition.[56] He made a further four appearances for the quarter-finalists.
On 9 September 2024, Aktürkoğlu scored his first international hat-trick againstIceland in a 3–1 win in theUEFA Nations League.[57]
Primarily aleft winger, he has adapted to other roles, includingattacking midfielder orsecond striker. His dribbling, agility, and ball control enable him to outmaneuver defenders and create chances in tight spaces. He cuts inside to shoot or delivers incisive passes, exploiting defensive gaps. His pace and precision make him a counterattacking threat, stretching defenses and delivering accurate crosses with both feet.[58][59][60]
Aktürkoğlu adopted hisExpelliarmusgoal celebration in response to the nickname "Kerem Potter," given by fans in July 2021 after he shared an Instagram photo wearing round glasses and Galatasaray's red and yellow kit, resemblingHarry Potter'sGryffindor uniform. Fans flooded the post with wand and lightning emojis, inspiring Aktürkoğlu to embrace the persona. He debuted the celebration on 25 December 2021, during a match against Fenerbahçe, mimicking a spell-casting motion from the Harry Potter series. The gesture delighted fans and reinforced his "Kerem Potter" identity, earning him the nickname "the magician" in during matches.[61][62][63]
Aktürkoğlu is a practicingMuslim, and made theUmrah pilgrimage toMecca.[64] In September 2024, Aktürkoğlu started his ownKick channel, under his surname Akturkoglu, uploading gaming streams and fanQ&As.[65]
He provided both financial and moral support to victims of the2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake. Actively participating in the "We Are Together" campaign, he encouraged citizens to host displaced individuals, especially inHatay, one of the hardest-hit Turkish regions. He also donated the match ball from his hat-trick againstBaşakşehir to an auction, with the proceeds aiding earthquake recovery efforts in his home country.[66][67][68][69]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | League cup[b] | Europe | Other | Total | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Istanbul Başakşehir | 2016–17 | Süper Lig | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | ||
| Bodrumspor (loan) | 2016–17 | TFF Third League | 27 | 4 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 28 | 4 | |||
| Karacabey Belediyespor | 2018–19 | TFF Third League | 34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | — | — | — | 35 | 3 | |||
| 24 Erzincanspor | 2019–20 | TFF Third League | 30 | 20 | 4 | 0 | — | — | — | 34 | 20 | |||
| Galatasaray | 2020–21 | Süper Lig | 27 | 6 | 2 | 0 | — | 0 | 0 | — | 29 | 6 | ||
| 2021–22 | Süper Lig | 37 | 10 | 1 | 0 | — | 14[c] | 3 | — | 52 | 13 | |||
| 2022–23 | Süper Lig | 34 | 9 | 4 | 1 | — | — | — | 38 | 10 | ||||
| 2023–24 | Süper Lig | 37 | 12 | 2 | 0 | — | 14[d] | 3 | 1[e] | 0 | 54 | 15 | ||
| 2024–25 | Süper Lig | 3 | 2 | — | — | 2[f] | 0 | 1[e] | 0 | 6 | 2 | |||
| Total | 138 | 39 | 9 | 1 | — | 30 | 6 | 2 | 0 | 179 | 46 | |||
| Benfica | 2024–25 | Primeira Liga | 30 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 12[f] | 4 | 4[g] | 0 | 53 | 16 |
| 2025–26 | Primeira Liga | 1 | 0 | — | — | 3[f] | 1 | 1[h] | 0 | 5 | 1 | |||
| Total | 31 | 11 | 4 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 15 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 58 | 17 | ||
| Fenerbahçe | 2025–26 | Süper Lig | 9 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | 3[i] | 3 | 0 | 0 | 12 | 4 | |
| Career total | 268 | 78 | 19 | 2 | 3 | 0 | 48 | 14 | 7 | 0 | 345 | 94 | ||
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | 2021 | 8 | 3 |
| 2022 | 9 | 0 | |
| 2023 | 9 | 2 | |
| 2024 | 14 | 5 | |
| 2025 | 9 | 4 | |
| Total | 49 | 14 | |
Galatasaray
Benfica
Individual
Turkey squads | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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