Brighton & Hove Albion have confirmed the signing of 24-year-old Turkish defender Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce.
He becomes Brighton's ninth signing of the summer, joining on a four-year deal.
It's finally Ferdi time... 🇹🇷 pic.twitter.com/MuHQzD9t3H
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 27, 2024
“I'm very excited because we are getting an excellent player and a great character. He has great ability, is a strong runner and very good at passing,” head coach Fabian Hurzeler said on the club's website.
“He is someone who is very keen to learn and develop, and with that in mind I’m confident he will adjust to the Premier League and adapt quickly to English football.”
Who is Ferdi Kadioglu?
Born on 7 October, 1999, in Arnhem, Netherlands, Kadioglu started his footballing journey at ESA youth academy before moving to Eredivisie side NEC Nijmegen. He made 70 appearances for NEC Nijmegen before transferring to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2018.
Kadioglu became a key player during his six years at Fenerbahce, featuring 204 times, scoring 18 goals and providing 22 assists. He also helped the club win the Turkish Cup in 2022/23.
Kadioglu began his international career with the Netherlands youth teams, eventually opting to represent Turkey at senior level in 2022. He has earned 20 caps and was instrumental in Turkey's run to the quarter-finals of UEFA EURO 2024.
Where he will fit in?
Kadioglu’s versatility is one of his greatest strengths, though he is primarily a left-back. His main competition at Brighton will be Pervis Estupinan and Jack Hinshelwood who has played there for the opening two matches of the season.
The 24-year-old can play line breaking passes and uses his acceleration and ball control to beat opponents in wide areas.
“He is predominantly a full-back and can play on the right or left side; he can also play in the centre of midfield,” Hurzeler added.
When could he make his debut?
After a strong start to the Premier League campaign with wins over Everton and Manchester United, Brighton fans could see Kadioglu in action soon, when the Seagulls travel to Emirates Stadium to face Arsenal on 31 August.
Ferdi's first interview as an Albion player! 🙌🍿 pic.twitter.com/j9BIC4Czhh
— Brighton & Hove Albion (@OfficialBHAFC) August 28, 2024
Mamardashvili to join Liverpool
Liverpool have announced the transfer of goalkeeper Giorgi Mamardashvili from Valencia, who will join the club ahead of the 2025/26 season, with reports suggesting that he will be on loan in Spain this season.
The 23-year-old will remain in Spain for the remainder of the current campaign before switching to Merseyside next summer.
Mamardashvili enjoyed an impressive Euro 2024 with Georgia, in which they reached the round of 16. The 6ft 6in 'keeper produced 21 saves during Georgia's group-stage matches, which were the joint-most of any goalkeeper in the tournament's history.
Mamardashvili joined Valencia from Georgian side Dinamo Tbilisi in 2021.
And so far he has featured 102 times in all competitions for Valencia, keeping 31 clean sheets so far. He has also appeared in both of their 2024/25 LaLiga fixtures, against Barcelona and Celta Vigo.
