On Tuesday afternoon, the Italian record champions Juventus Turin proudly announced that two of their greatest talents would now be permanently promoted to the professional squad: In addition to Dean Huijsen, Kenan Yildiz is now a permanent member of head coach Massimiliano Allegri’s team. The 18-year-old youngster went through all the youth stages at FC Bayern for ten years – and was then let go.
Did the German record champions not recognize or misjudge the huge potential that obviously lies dormant in the Regensburg native? Kenan Yildiz himself reported to “Sport Bild” at least openly that FC Bayern had simply tried to recruit him too late.
“When it was clear that I wanted to move, Hasan Salihamidzic (then sports director at FC Bayern, editor’s note) and Marco Neppe (technical director at FC Bayern) contacted my management and tried harder again. They “We really wanted to keep me. But it was time to move away from Munich, the best option was to move to Turin,” said the midfielder in the specialist magazine.
Yildiz has developed steadily since his move to Juve in the summer of 2022, drawing attention to himself in the club’s A-youth and second team. This year the next rungs on the career ladder followed: the teenager has made five short appearances in Serie A so far, and on Tuesday he was finally appointed to the Old Lady’s professional squad.
But that’s not all: Kenan Yildiz recently even made his debut for the Turkish senior national team and was allowed to play in the European Championship qualifier against Croatia (1-0).
Those responsible for the German national soccer team also don’t seem to have had the midfield gem on their radar.
Ex-Bayern talent excited by Juve: “It’s incredibly fun”
“My mother is German, my father is Turkish. I’ve played for Turkey since the U17s, I’m very proud of that. Germany never approached me, never contacted me. That’s why there wasn’t the option, the question didn’t arise “I’m very happy to play for Turkey,” said the ex-Bayern talent about his international nomination.
The first starting eleven appearance for Juventus Turin is now only a matter of time, it may be next weekend at the home game against Cagliari Calcio (Saturday, 6:00 p.m.).
“I believed from the start that I would make it at Juve. […] It’s incredibly fun,” says Yildiz, who has long been excited about the tasks ahead.