15.04.2025 22:10
Trabzonspor announced that they have signed professional contracts with 13 players from their U19 team, which has achieved a historic success by reaching the semifinals of the UEFA Youth League. The young players of the burgundy-blues will face the Austrian team Salzburg on April 25 in Switzerland for a spot in the final.
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Trabzonspor signed contracts with 13 young footballers who made history by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League.
THEY BECAME PROFESSIONALS
According to a statement from the burgundy-blue club; contracts were signed with Alihan Erdoğan, Arda Öztürk, Bican Tibukoğlu, Boran Başkan, Ekrem Terzi, Erolcan Çolak, Esat Yiğit Alkurt, Furkan Melikşah Özcan, Onuralp Çakıroğlu, Ömer Faruk Duymaz, Ömer Faruk Karahan, Taha Emre İnce, and Yiğit Kemal Turan during a ceremony held at Papara Park.
FAMILIES ALSO ATTENDED THE SIGNING CEREMONY
The ceremony was attended by Secretary General Sami Karaman, Treasurer Derviş Köz, vice presidents Kemal Ertürk and Murat İskender, board members Coşkun Öztürk and Ali Beyazlı, Infrastructure Coordinator Güngör Şahinkaya, U19 team head coach Eyüp Saka, and the families of the players.
"MAYBE THEY WILL BE CHAMPIONS IN 10 DAYS"
Vice President Zeyyat Kafkas stated in his speech at the ceremony that a signature was put on Trabzonspor's future. Emphasizing that it was a special day for both the athletes and the club, Kafkas said, "These young players were raised in our academy and have also made us all very proud by entering the top four teams in Europe. Maybe they will be the champions of the European Development League in 10 days. This is not an easily achieved success. This is the victory of determination, discipline, hard work, and faith."
"THIS CREST WILL NO LONGER BE A DREAM, IT WILL BE A SYMBOL OF RESPONSIBILITY"
Kafkas emphasized that the young players will now step onto the field as professional footballers and made the following assessment;
"This crest was a symbol of a dream for you, but it will now also be a symbol of responsibility. Your talents will make you a good player, but your extra effort and character will make you a great player. Alongside your struggle on the field, your stance off the field will make you permanent in the football world. I sincerely thank your families who contributed to your journey, our academy coordinator, our legend Mr. Güngör Şahinkaya, our U19 Head Coach Mr. Eyüp Saka, all our academy coaches, our academy team, and your endless efforts."
"NOW IT'S YOUR TURN, THE STAGE IS YOURS"
Kafkas thanked Club President Ertuğrul Doğan for his contributions and stated;
"You are no longer just 'the kids from the academy.' You are the hope of this club, the future. Today we are having you sign, but in fact, we are sealing our trust in you. Whether you become champions in the UEFA Youth League or not, this city is ready to applaud you. This city is ready to embrace you. Just stay loyal to the jersey, believe in yourselves, and never give up on your struggle and determination. Come on, now it's your turn, the stage is yours."
RIVAL SALZBURG IN THE SEMI-FINAL
Trabzonspor, which made history by reaching the semi-finals of the UEFA Youth League, will face Salzburg, who eliminated Olympiakos. The burgundy-blues will meet the Austrian team on Friday, April 25, in Switzerland for the final. The Trabzonspor U19 team also achieved an interesting statistic in the UEFA Youth League. They eliminated Juventus in the last 32 round, Atalanta in the last 16 round, and also managed to eliminate the Italian team Inter in the quarter-finals.
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