Aké Joins Fenerbahçe
Nathan Aké Joins Fenerbahçe, Ending Six-Year Trophy-Laden Stint at Manchester City
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Key Points
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Injuries limited Aké's involvement during parts of his later seasons at Manchester City, despite his earlier role as a versatile and key squad member.
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Fenerbahce fired manager Domenico Tedesco after one season and brought back Ismail Kartal for a fourth spell as manager, reflecting shifting leadership as Aké arrives.
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During his City career, Aké won 12 trophies in total, highlighting the trophy-laden period of Pep Guardiola’s tenure.
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A Fenerbahce board member described Aké as one of the world's top players and noted the club’s need for a left central defender to strengthen their defensive options.
Nathan Ake is leaving Manchester City for Turkish club Fenerbahce in a deal worth at least £7 million, rising to £8.5 million with add-ons, according to The Independent. The 31-year-old Dutch defender ended a six-year stint at City after winning 12 trophies and making 177 appearances across all competitions.
Fenerbahce announced the deal on Friday, catching Manchester City off guard. Yahoo Sports reported that City was surprised by the announcement, as the transfer had not yet been fully finalized on their end.
Fenerbahce Jumps Ahead and Announces Deal Early
Fenerbahce posted publicly that an agreement had been reached with Ake before Manchester City confirmed anything. The New York Times reported that the Turkish club announced it had signed a contract with the Dutch defender, valued at around £8.5 million. The early announcement blindsided City's front office.
The base fee is £7 million, with add-ons that could push the total to £8.5 million, per AOL. Fenerbahce has not disclosed the length of Ake's contract or the full financial terms of the agreement.
Ake's Six Trophy-Filled Years at Manchester City
Ake joined City from Bournemouth in 2020 for around €45 million. Over six seasons, he became a versatile squad player under Pep Guardiola. He could play left back or center back, making him useful in multiple defensive setups.
He won 12 trophies during his time at the club. That haul included Premier League titles and the 2023 Champions League. Injuries slowed him in later seasons, limiting his appearances and making him a squad player rather than a guaranteed starter.
Fenerbahce Calls Ake a World-Class Defensive Signing
A Fenerbahce board member described Ake as one of the world's top players. The club specifically identified its need for a left-sided center back. Ake fits that profile directly, giving Fenerbahce a proven option with top-level European experience.
Ake also featured for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup, starting against Morocco. That international involvement shows he remains a credible player at the highest level, despite his age and recent injury history.
Managerial Shake-Up Greets Ake in Istanbul
Ake arrives at a club in transition. Fenerbahce fired manager Domenico Tedesco after just one season. The club then brought back Ismail Kartal for a fourth spell as head coach, per The Independent.
The managerial change adds uncertainty to Ake's move. But the signing signals that Fenerbahce is building seriously for next season. Meanwhile, Manchester City continues reshaping its squad as Pep Guardiola prepares for the new campaign.
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