Overview
Yusuf Yazıcı, born on January 29, 1997, in Trabzon, Turkey, is a professional footballer who has established himself as a prominent attacking midfielder. Standing at 1.83 meters, Yazıcı is primarily known for his left-footed prowess, which he utilizes effectively for passing, shooting, and set-piece delivery. His career has seen him feature for significant clubs across Europe, including his boyhood club Trabzonspor, French champions Lille OSC, and Russian side CSKA Moscow. As an integral part of the Turkey national team, Yazıcı has consistently contributed to their international campaigns since his debut.
Position
Yazıcı primarily operates as an attacking midfielder, often playing as a number 10 behind the main striker. This role allows him to leverage his vision and passing range, dictating play in the final third. He is also capable of playing on either wing, cutting inside on his dominant left foot, or even in a deeper central midfield role where his long-range passing can initiate attacks. His versatility provides tactical flexibility to his managers, enabling him to adapt to various formations and game situations.
Identity
Yusuf Yazıcı's identity as a footballer is defined by his technical sophistication and goal contribution from midfield. He is regarded as a creative playmaker with an eye for goal, known for his ability to unlock defenses with precise through balls and score spectacular goals from outside the box. His composure under pressure and intelligent movement off the ball further enhance his effectiveness in offensive transitions. He contributes significantly in terms of both chance creation and goal scoring, marking him as a key offensive asset.
Career path
Yusuf Yazıcı's football journey began in his hometown of Trabzon, where he joined the youth academy of Trabzonspor. He progressed through their ranks, showcasing early potential that led to his senior team debut. His professional debut for Trabzonspor occurred on December 22, 2015, in a Turkish Cup match against Gaziantepspor (Transfermarkt). He quickly became a first-team regular, impressing with his performances in the Süper Lig.
Trabzonspor (2015–2019)
During his tenure at Trabzonspor, Yazıcı developed into one of Turkey's most promising talents. He made 100 appearances for the club across all competitions, scoring 27 goals and providing 25 assists (Transfermarkt). His consistent displays attracted attention from top European clubs, culminating in a significant transfer. His final season with Trabzonspor, 2018-2019, saw him contribute 4 goals and 3 assists in 30 league appearances (FBref), solidifying his reputation as a creative force.
Lille OSC (2019–2024)
In August 2019, Yazıcı made a high-profile move to French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC (Transfermarkt). His time in France was marked by significant success, most notably winning the Ligue 1 title in the 2020–21 season, beating Paris Saint-Germain to the championship. During that title-winning campaign, Yazıcı played a crucial role, registering 7 goals and 4 assists in 32 league appearances (FBref). He also made a notable impact in the UEFA Europa League, finishing as a joint top scorer in the 2020-21 edition with 7 goals (Wikipedia), despite Lille's exit in the Round of 32.
Loan spells and recent moves (2022–Present)
Following his successful period with Lille, Yazıcı embarked on several loan spells. He joined CSKA Moscow in January 2022, where he made an immediate impact, contributing to their attacking play. He also had a brief return to Trabzonspor on loan in the 2022-23 season. In 2024, he moved to Greek club Panathinaikos, seeking new challenges and regular first-team football (Transfermarkt). These moves have allowed him to gain experience in different leagues and adapt his game to diverse tactical approaches.
Playing style
Yusuf Yazıcı is a technically gifted attacking midfielder whose playing style is characterized by his exceptional left foot, vision, and ability to influence proceedings in the final third. He excels in linking play between midfield and attack, often dropping deep to receive the ball before driving forward or distributing it wide.
One of Yazıcı's most prominent attributes is his shooting ability from distance. His powerful and accurate left-footed strikes pose a constant threat to opposition goalkeepers, leading to numerous goals from outside the penalty area. This is complemented by his proficiency from set-pieces, where he is often tasked with free-kick and corner duties, capable of delivering dangerous balls into the box (WhoScored). His goal-scoring record, particularly during his impactful Europa League campaign with Lille, highlights this aspect of his game.
Beyond his goal-scoring, Yazıcı is a creative presence. His passing range is extensive, allowing him to execute intricate through balls to split defenses and switch play effectively. His vision enables him to spot runs that many other players might miss, consistently creating goal-scoring opportunities for teammates. Data from various seasons often shows him ranking highly in key passes per 90 minutes among attacking midfielders (FBref).
In terms of comparing him to other players, Yazıcı shares some stylistic similarities with playmakers known for their left-footed technique and creative output, such as Mesut Özil in his prime for his vision and passing, or perhaps even a player like Hakan Çalhanoğlu for his set-piece ability and long-range shooting. While not known for blistering pace, Yazıcı compensates with intelligent movement and positional awareness to find pockets of space between defensive lines. His work rate, particularly in defensive transitions, has also seen improvement, demonstrating a commitment to the team's overall structure.
Achievements & honours
Yusuf Yazıcı has accumulated several significant achievements throughout his professional career, both at club level and individually. His most notable team success came during his spell with Lille OSC, where he played a pivotal role in securing a historic league title.
His individual performances have also garnered recognition, particularly in European competitions, where his goal-scoring prowess was on full display.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Lille OSC | Ligue 1 | 2020–21 |
Individual Awards
- UEFA Europa League Top Scorer: 2020–21 (jointly) (Wikipedia)
These honours underscore Yazıcı's impact on the teams he has represented and his ability to perform at a high level in challenging environments. The Ligue 1 title with Lille was a significant accomplishment, breaking Paris Saint-Germain's dominance, and Yazıcı's contributions were instrumental in that success. His shared top scorer award in the Europa League further cemented his reputation as a potent attacking threat on the continental stage.
International career
Yusuf Yazıcı has been a consistent presence in the Turkey national football team since making his senior debut. His international career began on June 11, 2017, when he earned his first cap in a 4-1 FIFA World Cup qualifier victory against Kosovo, coming on as a substitute (FIFA). Since then, he has regularly featured for the Crescent-Stars, becoming a key creative and offensive player in their setup.
As of May 2026, Yazıcı has accumulated 42 appearances for Turkey, scoring 3 goals (Transfermarkt). He has participated in various qualification campaigns for major tournaments, including the FIFA World Cup and the UEFA European Championship. His role within the national team typically mirrors his club position, operating as an attacking midfielder tasked with providing creativity, linking play, and contributing goals from central areas.
Yazıcı was part of the Turkey squad that participated in the UEFA European Championship. While his involvement and specific contribution varied across tournaments, his inclusion consistently highlights his importance to the national side's tactical plans. He is recognized for his ability to provide moments of individual brilliance, such as crucial passes or long-range goals, that can turn the tide of a match.
His continued presence in the national squad reflects his consistent club form and the value his technical attributes bring to the team, making him a reliable option for the national team's coaching staff.
What makes Yusuf Yazıcı stand out
Yusuf Yazıcı stands out primarily due to his exceptional left foot and his remarkable ability to score from distance. Unlike many traditional playmakers who focus solely on assists, Yazıcı combines creative vision with a significant goal threat, particularly from outside the penalty area. His knack for striking the ball cleanly and powerfully, coupled with his accuracy, makes him a dangerous player even when tightly marked.
Another distinguishing trait is his proficiency in set-piece situations. Whether it's a direct free-kick or a corner, Yazıcı's delivery is consistently of high quality, creating numerous chances for his teammates. This dual threat of direct goal-scoring and indirect chance creation from dead-ball situations elevates his overall impact on a game. Furthermore, his intelligence in finding space between defensive lines and his composure in tight areas allow him to consistently receive the ball and initiate attacks, even against well-organized defenses.
"Yusuf has a unique ability to both create and finish. His left foot is a weapon, and he sees passes others don't. He's a complete attacking midfielder."