Valencia CF Offloads Cenk Özkacar to Trabzonspor

Valencia CF has officially confirmed the permanent transfer of defender Cenk Özkacar to Turkish Süper Lig side Trabzonspor. The deal, announced by the Spanish club on Saturday, marks the conclusion of the 23-year-old’s tenure at Mestalla, with Valencia receiving a transfer fee of 1.7 million euros for the Turkish international.

This transaction represents a significant financial loss for the La Liga side, which had exercised a purchase option to sign the center-back permanently for 5 million euros in 2023.

Financial Context of the Departure

The 1.7 million euro fee secured by Valencia stands in stark contrast to the club’s initial investment. After first arriving at Mestalla on loan from Olympique de Lyon during the 2022-23 season, Özkacar appeared in 21 matches across La Liga, the Copa del Rey, and the Supercopa de España. Impressed by his initial contributions, the club opted to trigger his purchase clause, committing to a five-year deal.

Following the 2023-24 season, where he recorded 23 league appearances and two cup matches, the club sought to offload the player to adjust the squad roster.

A Career Path Away from Mestalla

Özkacar’s exit follows a period of instability regarding his playing time. FC Köln. Upon his return to Spain, it became clear he was no longer part of the first-team project.

The separation became definitive during the preseason, when Özkacar was excluded from the team’s training camp in Girona. While the squad traveled for preparations, the defender remained at the Ciudad Deportiva de Paterna to finalize his departure. In an official statement, Valencia CF expressed gratitude for the player’s professionalism during his time at the club and extended well wishes for his future in the Turkish Süper Lig.

Squad Implications for Valencia