27.01.2026 08:00
Yaser Asprilla's football career dramatically changed when his father was injured in an armed conflict at a young age. Asprilla, who left the Bajo Baudo region with his family for safety reasons, began his football career at the Tienda Nueva Football School. Once his talent was recognized, he transferred to Envigado FC, one of the important centers of Colombian football. Here, Asprilla met Jhon Duran, and he continues this friendship today in the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe rivalry.
The football journey of Galatasaray's new transfer Yaser Asprilla took a completely different direction due to an armed conflict that his family experienced at a young age.
THE MOMENT THAT CHANGED ASPRILLA'S LIFE
Yaser Asprilla, 22 years old, who was signed by Galatasaray from Girona for free with a purchase option, became the ninth Colombian footballer in the history of the yellow-red club. Asprilla's professional football journey was shaped by a dramatic event he experienced in his childhood.
FATE CHANGED BY A BULLET
Asprilla, the third of seven children of a construction worker father and a housewife mother, started playing football in the Bajo Baudo region of Colombia. However, after his father was injured by a bullet during a conflict, the family had to leave the area for security reasons. When Asprilla was just six years old, they moved to Tienda Nueva.
THE PATH TO ENVIGADO OPENED
Asprilla, whose talent was noticed at the Tienda Nueva Football School, later moved to Tablones School. The young player caught the attention of Evelio Orozco, the president of Envigado Palmira, and at the age of eight, with his family's approval, he was taken to Envigado FC, one of the important centers of Colombian football. Asprilla joined the youth team at the age of 11 and played in the Pony Football tournament, where stars like Radamel Falcao, James Rodriguez, and Juan Fernando Quintero performed.
CHILDHOOD FRIENDSHIP WITH DURAN
Asprilla's path crossed with Jhon Duran, who currently plays for Fenerbahçe, in the Envigado youth team. The two footballers have maintained their friendship since 2012. After arriving in Istanbul, Asprilla stated, "We have been friends since we were 9 years old. I am proud of his achievements."
TO EUROPE VIA THE SAME PATH
Both players left Envigado at the beginning of 2022. Asprilla transferred to Watford, while Duran moved to Chicago. Asprilla later went to Girona, while Duran wore the jerseys of Aston Villa and Al-Nassr. Continuing their paths in different leagues, the two are now on opposing sides of the Galatasaray-Fenerbahçe rivalry.