Nathan Aké has joined Turkish Super Lig side Fenerbahçe from Manchester City, the club confirmed on Friday. The Dutch defender will link up with his new teammates after completing his post-season break, following the Netherlands’ elimination from the 2026 World Cup qualifying play-offs on Monday.
Aké, 31, departs Manchester City after four seasons with the Premier League champions, having initially signed for the club in 2020. He made a total of 177 appearances for City across all competitions, contributing to multiple league title wins and a Champions League triumph, though his playing time in the recently concluded season was limited to 18 Premier League matches.
The move to Fenerbahçe marks the first time Aké will play outside of England as a professional footballer. He began his career in the Chelsea academy before spells at Reading, Watford, and Bournemouth, establishing himself as a Premier League player prior to his transfer to the Etihad Stadium. He has earned 62 caps for the Netherlands national team, scoring five goals.
While Manchester City did not disclose a transfer fee, the move allows Aké the opportunity for more regular first-team football. Fenerbahçe, meanwhile, add a seasoned international defender to their squad as they look to challenge for the Turkish Super Lig title. The departure of Aké adds another layer to City’s defensive options as Pep Guardiola assesses his squad for the upcoming season.
Netherlands were defeated by Morocco in the World Cup play-off round of 16, losing 3-2 on penalties after a 1-1 draw, bringing an end to their qualifying campaign and allowing Aké to finalise his transfer.
