30.10.2026 20:52
Yusuf Demir, wearing the Rapid Wien jersey, made very good use of the second chance in his career. The 23-year-old footballer scored 6 goals and provided 6 assists in 17 matches this season.
Yusuf Demir, who became one of the most talked-about talents in European football at a young age, is now rising from the ashes at his former club Rapid Wien after difficult spells at Barcelona and Galatasaray.
UNEXPECTED FALL FROM THE GIANTS' STAGE
Yusuf Demir, who drew attention with his performance at just 16, headed to Barcelona on loan in the summer of 2021. However, when the purchase option in his loan contract at the Catalan giants was not activated, he returned to Rapid Wien in January 2022. Yusuf's next stop was Galatasaray. The young talent, whom the red-and-yellows signed for a transfer fee of 6 million euros in the summer of 2022, fell short of expectations in his career in Turkey. The player, who could not find consistency, including during his loan spell at Basel, and produced only 2 goals and 2 assists in 26 matches for Galatasaray, had his contract terminated in February 2026.
"I DIDN'T ASK FOR A SINGLE CENT FOR THE FIRST FEW MONTHS"
After his contract was terminated, Yusuf Demir signed for Rapid Wien, where he came through the academy, again in February 2026, and described what he experienced during his return to the Austrian club with the words: "Because my physical condition was inadequate, I did not ask the club for a single cent in the first few months after returning to Rapid. I only received the mandatory collective contract fee of approximately 1,500 euros just to be able to register for the squad."
12 GOAL CONTRIBUTIONS IN 17 MATCHES
The 22-year-old footballer, who started the new season physically and mentally in a completely different way, made very good use of the chance given to him. In 17 official matches for Rapid Wien this season, he reached an impressive statistic of 6 goals and 6 assists, becoming his team's most important asset in the attacking line. Yusuf Demir, whose contract with Rapid Wien will expire at the end of the season, has managed to enter the radar of European clubs again with this performance.