Overview
Oğuzhan Özyakup is a seasoned professional footballer who has built a career as a central midfielder, known for his technical prowess and ability to orchestrate play from the middle of the park. Born on 23 September 1992, in Zaandam, Netherlands, Özyakup opted to represent the Turkish national team, for whom he has accumulated significant caps. His footballing journey began in the esteemed youth ranks of Arsenal, before a significant move to Beşiktaş where he truly established his reputation as a key player. He is currently with Fortuna Sittard.
Position
As a midfielder, Özyakup typically operates in a central role, often functioning as a deep-lying playmaker or an attacking midfielder. His versatility allows him to adapt to various midfield setups, providing a link between defense and attack. He possesses the attributes to control the tempo of a game, with a focus on ball retention and progressive passing. His understanding of space and movement off the ball contributes to his effectiveness in breaking down opposition lines and creating offensive opportunities.
Identity
Özyakup's playing identity is primarily that of a 'regista' or a 'number 8' – a player who dictates the flow of the game with intelligent passing and vision. He is often characterized by his calm demeanor on the ball, even under pressure, and his capacity to deliver accurate long and short passes. His ability to thread through-balls and arrive late in the box for scoring opportunities has been a hallmark of his career. This combination of technical skill and tactical awareness defines him as a central figure in any midfield he occupies.
Career path
Oğuzhan Özyakup's footballing journey began in the Netherlands before a formative move to one of England's top academies. His senior career has seen him become a prominent figure in Turkish football, along with stints in the Dutch Eredivisie.
Youth Career & Arsenal
Özyakup started his youth career at local clubs Stormvogels and AZ Alkmaar in his native Netherlands. His talent was recognized by English Premier League side Arsenal, which he joined in 2008 at the age of 15. During his time at Arsenal, he progressed through the youth ranks, featuring for the club's U18 and reserve teams. He made his senior debut for Arsenal in a League Cup match against Shrewsbury Town on 20 September 2011, coming on as a substitute. He also featured in further cup competitions but did not make a Premier League appearance for the club. Transfermarkt confirms his departure from Arsenal in 2012.
Beşiktaş JK
In June 2012, Özyakup made a significant move to Turkish Süper Lig giants Beşiktaş JK for an undisclosed fee. This transfer proved to be a pivotal moment in his career, providing him with regular first-team football. He quickly established himself as a vital component in Beşiktaş's midfield, contributing with goals and assists. During his tenure, he played a crucial role in the club's Süper Lig triumphs. He served as captain for a period and became a fan favorite due to his consistent performances and leadership qualities. His time at the club spanned nearly eight years, making over 200 league appearances according to Transfermarkt.
Loan Spells & Subsequent Moves
In January 2020, Özyakup moved on a short-term loan to Dutch Eredivisie side Feyenoord for the remainder of the 2019-2020 season, seeking more playing time. Following his return to Beşiktaş, he continued to contribute, albeit with varying degrees of involvement. In the summer of 2022, he left Beşiktaş permanently, joining Fortuna Sittard in the Eredivisie. This move marked a return to Dutch football and an opportunity to take on a new challenge in his career. He has since been a regular fixture for Fortuna Sittard, continuing to showcase his playmaking abilities.
Playing style
Oğuzhan Özyakup's playing style is characterized by a blend of technical finesse, tactical intelligence, and a strong passing range, making him a classic central midfielder. He excels in dictating the tempo of the game and providing a creative spark from the middle of the pitch. His attributes are particularly suited to a possession-based system where he can influence play with his distribution.
Technical Attributes
- Passing: Özyakup possesses an exceptional passing ability, capable of executing both intricate short passes in tight spaces and incisive long-range passes to switch the play or launch attacks. His vision allows him to spot teammates in advantageous positions, often leading to key passes. Sofascore data often highlights his high passing accuracy in numerous matches as seen on his player profile.
- Ball Control & Dribbling: His close control is another strong suit. Özyakup is adept at retaining possession under pressure, utilizing subtle touches and body feints to evade markers. While not a winger, his ability to carry the ball forward in central areas can help break lines and advance attacks.
- Vision: A key aspect of his game is his positional awareness and ability to read the game. He consistently identifies pockets of space to receive the ball and has the foresight to anticipate defensive movements, allowing him to play passes that unlock defenses.
- Shooting: While primarily a creator, Özyakup is also capable of striking from distance. He has scored a number of goals from outside the box throughout his career, often arriving late in attacking phases to capitalize on opportunities.
Tactical Role
Özyakup is versatile enough to play as a deep-lying playmaker (regista), initiating attacks from deeper positions, or as a more advanced central midfielder (number 8 or 10), contributing closer to the opposition's goal. His defensive work rate, while not his primary attribute, is diligent; he contributes to pressing and tracking back, offering defensive balance to the midfield. His style can be compared to players known for their composure and passing ability, such as a younger Nuri Şahin or even, at times, a less dynamic İlkay Gündoğan, focusing heavily on control and distribution.
Achievements & honours
Oğuzhan Özyakup has enjoyed a successful club career, particularly during his extensive tenure with Beşiktaş JK, where he lifted multiple domestic trophies. His contributions were central to several of the club's most successful periods in recent history.
| Competition | Club | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Süper Lig | Beşiktaş JK | 2015–16, 2016–17, 2020–21 |
| Turkish Cup | Beşiktaş JK | 2020–21 |
| Turkish Super Cup | Beşiktaş JK | 2021 |
During his time at Beşiktaş, Özyakup was instrumental in their three Süper Lig titles, a period that saw the club assert dominance in Turkish football. The 2015–16 and 2016–17 seasons were particularly memorable, with Özyakup being a consistent presence in the midfield, contributing with goals and crucial assists that propelled the team to successive league championships. His influence extended to the 2020–21 season, where he again played a role in securing the Süper Lig title, completing a domestic double with the Turkish Cup in the same year. This period also saw him lift the Turkish Super Cup in 2021, further cementing his legacy as a decorated player for Beşiktaş.
International career
Oğuzhan Özyakup has been a consistent presence for the Turkey national football team, representing his country at various levels before becoming a senior international. His international career began with the Dutch youth teams, but he ultimately chose to represent Turkey at the senior level.
Youth International
Despite being born in the Netherlands, Özyakup played for the Netherlands at U17, U18, and U19 levels. However, he switched his allegiance to Turkey, the country of his heritage, for U21 competitions. This decision paved the way for his senior international career with Turkey.
Senior International
Özyakup made his senior debut for Turkey on 28 May 2013, in a friendly match against Latvia. Since then, he has accumulated 43 caps for the national team, as recorded by FIFA's official player profile. His solitary international goal came on 28 March 2016, in a friendly against Austria. Throughout his international career, Özyakup has primarily operated in central midfield, fulfilling a role that leverages his passing ability and vision to control the tempo of games and create opportunities for his teammates.
Major Tournaments
A significant highlight of his international career was his inclusion in the Turkey squad for the UEFA Euro 2016 tournament in France. He featured in multiple matches during the group stage, playing a crucial role in the midfield. Although Turkey did not progress beyond the group stage, Özyakup gained valuable experience at a major international competition.
While he hasn't featured in a FIFA World Cup, Özyakup has been a regular call-up for various qualification campaigns for both World Cups and European Championships, demonstrating his consistent value to the national setup. His experience and leadership have often been relied upon to guide younger players within the squad.
What makes Oğuzhan Özyakup stand out
Oğuzhan Özyakup distinguishes himself through a combination of technical refinement and tactical intelligence, making him a quintessential modern central midfielder. His ability to dictate play from deep and create scoring opportunities is a hallmark of his game.
One of his most notable traits is his exceptional passing range and accuracy. He consistently makes intelligent decisions under pressure, often choosing the right pass to maintain possession or to carve open an opposition defense. This vision allows him to act as the primary orchestrator in midfield, linking defense to attack with seamless transitions. Furthermore, Özyakup's composure on the ball is a significant asset. He rarely panics, even when pressed, and can navigate tight spaces with subtle touches and turns, maintaining possession and relieving pressure on his teammates.
His capacity to arrive late in the box for goal-scoring opportunities is another aspect that adds to his overall importance. While primarily a provider, his knack for finding space in attacking areas ensures he contributes directly to goals, making him a dual threat. This blend of creative passing, ball retention, and occasional goal-scoring makes him a valuable asset in the midfield, capable of influencing games in multiple ways.
"Özyakup has a great footballing brain and his ability to see a pass few others can is what separates him."