Overview
Zeki Çelik, born on February 17, 1997, in Bursa, Turkey, has carved out a reputation as a dependable and tactically astute right-back in European football. Standing at 1.80 meters, Çelik combines physical presence with technical proficiency, making him equally adept at defending his flank and contributing to attacking phases. His journey from local Turkish clubs to prominent European leagues underscores a consistent development trajectory and an ability to adapt to higher levels of competition. As of May 2026, he is a key figure for AS Roma in Serie A and an integral part of the Turkey national team.
Position
Çelik operates predominantly as a right-back, a role that demands both defensive diligence and offensive impetus. In this position, he is tasked with neutralizing opposition wingers, providing cover for central defenders, and overlapping to support his own team's attacking play. His understanding of positional play allows him to efficiently manage the wide channels, whether breaking up attacks or delivering crosses into the box.
Identity
Zeki Çelik's footballing identity can be characterized as a modern full-back with a strong defensive foundation. He is known for his work rate, commitment in duels, and ability to maintain concentration throughout a match. While his attacking contributions are significant, his primary strength lies in his defensive solidity and tactical discipline, making him a reliable component in various defensive schemes. He is often seen as a player who prioritizes team shape and defensive stability, offering a balanced approach to the right-back role.
Career path
Zeki Çelik's professional career began in Turkey, progressing through youth ranks before making a significant move to European football.
Youth and Early Career in Turkey
Çelik started his youth career at Yavuz Selimspor before joining the academy of Bursaspor, his hometown club. After progressing through Bursaspor's youth setup, he moved to Bursaspor's reserve team in 2013 and later to the senior team in 2015. However, his senior debut for Bursaspor was limited. He subsequently joined Karacabey Birlikspor on loan in 2015 before making a permanent move to İstanbulspor in 2016 (Transfermarkt). At İstanbulspor, Çelik established himself as a regular, making 66 appearances across all competitions in two seasons and showcasing his potential as a modern right-back.
Lille OSC (2018-2022)
His impressive performances for İstanbulspor caught the attention of European clubs, leading to a move to French Ligue 1 side Lille OSC in July 2018 (Transfermarkt). This transfer marked a significant step in his career, moving him to one of Europe's top five leagues. Çelik quickly integrated into the Lille squad, becoming a first-choice right-back. He played a crucial role in Lille's unexpected Ligue 1 title triumph in the 2020-21 season, featuring in 29 league matches (Wikipedia). During his four seasons at Lille, he made 143 appearances across all competitions, contributing 8 goals and 14 assists (Transfermarkt).
AS Roma (2022-Present)
In July 2022, Çelik moved to Italian Serie A club AS Roma (Transfermarkt). This move reunited him with former Lille manager José Mourinho, who was then in charge of Roma. Çelik quickly established himself within the squad, providing a reliable option at right-back. He has continued to be a consistent performer for Roma, contributing to their domestic and European campaigns. As of May 2026, he remains a key part of the AS Roma defense, showcasing his continued growth and adaptation to different tactical systems.
Playing style
Zeki Çelik's playing style is defined by a blend of defensive tenacity and measured attacking contributions, making him a well-rounded full-back. His attributes are particularly suited to systems that demand defensive solidity from wide defenders while also encouraging intelligent overlapping runs.
Defensively, Çelik excels in one-on-one situations. He possesses good positional awareness, allowing him to anticipate opponents' movements and intercept passes effectively. His tackling is generally clean and well-timed, and he is not easily beaten for pace or strength. According to data from FBref, Çelik consistently ranks well in pressures and tackles per 90 minutes among full-backs, indicating his commitment to winning the ball back high up the pitch and preventing opposition progression (FBref). He also contributes significantly to aerial duels, a valuable trait for a full-back, especially when defending set-pieces or long balls.
In possession, Çelik demonstrates composure and an ability to distribute the ball accurately. While not a primary creative outlet, he makes intelligent runs down the right flank, often overlapping the winger to provide width and alternative passing options. His crossing ability is reliable, capable of delivering dangerous balls into the box, though he tends to cross with precision rather than volume. His passing accuracy is generally high, ensuring that possession is maintained and build-up play is not disrupted. He exhibits good decision-making in the final third, knowing when to hold possession, when to cross, and when to combine with teammates.
Comparatively, Çelik shares stylistic similarities with full-backs like César Azpilicueta during his prime right-back years or even a more defensively oriented Juanfran. These players are known for their defensive reliability, tactical intelligence, and ability to contribute offensively without being overly flashy. Çelik's consistency and low error rate make him a valuable asset for any team, providing a stable presence on the right side of defense.
Achievements & honours
Zeki Çelik has accumulated several significant team honours throughout his career, most notably securing a major league title in one of Europe's top divisions.
Club Honours
| Club | Competition | Year(s) |
|---|---|---|
| Lille OSC | Ligue 1 | 2020–21 (Wikipedia) |
| Lille OSC | Trophée des Champions | 2021 (Wikipedia) |
His most notable club achievement came during his tenure at Lille OSC, where he was a key figure in the squad that defied expectations to win the Ligue 1 title in the 2020–21 season, finishing ahead of Paris Saint-Germain. Following this league success, Çelik also contributed to Lille's victory in the 2021 Trophée des Champions, defeating PSG once again. These honours highlight his impact at the highest level of French football.
Individual Milestones
While often praised for his consistent team contributions rather than individual accolades, Çelik's sustained performance at both Lille and Roma, alongside his regular inclusion in the Turkey national team, signifies his status as a respected professional in his position. His seamless adaptation to French and Italian top-flight football demonstrates his quality and adaptability.
International career
Zeki Çelik has been a consistent presence for the Turkey national team, progressing through youth ranks before becoming a senior international.
Çelik represented Turkey at various youth levels, including the U16, U17, and U21 teams. His performances for İstanbulspor and subsequently Lille OSC quickly brought him into contention for the senior national squad. He made his senior international debut for Turkey on June 5, 2018, in a friendly against Russia (Transfermarkt). Since then, he has become a regular starter at right-back for the Crescent-Stars.
He played a significant role in Turkey's qualification campaigns for major tournaments. Çelik was part of the Turkey squad that participated in the UEFA Euro 2020 (held in 2021), where he started in all three group stage matches (UEFA.com). He has continued to be a vital component in Turkey's defense, contributing to their attempts to qualify for the FIFA World Cup and other European Championships. As of May 2026, Çelik has accumulated 44 caps for his country and has scored 2 international goals, demonstrating his longevity and importance to the national setup (Transfermarkt). His defensive reliability and experience are highly valued by successive national team managers.
What makes Zeki Çelik stand out
Zeki Çelik stands out primarily due to his exceptional defensive consistency and tactical intelligence, making him a highly dependable right-back. He rarely makes rash decisions or commits significant errors, offering a calming presence on the flank. His ability to read the game allows him to anticipate danger and position himself effectively, breaking up opposition attacks before they become critical. This reliability is a hallmark of his play, valued by coaches who prioritize defensive solidity.
Furthermore, Çelik possesses an impressive work rate and stamina, allowing him to cover significant ground along the right touchline for the full 90 minutes. This engine enables him to contribute to both defensive transitions and attacking overlaps, ensuring his team maintains balance. His disciplined approach to the game means he adheres strictly to tactical instructions, whether it's holding a deeper line or pushing higher to support the attack. This makes him a versatile asset who can adapt to various formations and game plans.
"Zeki is a player who gives you everything on the pitch. He's tactically smart, physically strong, and incredibly consistent. You know exactly what you're going to get from him every single match."