Ahmed Kutucu moves to Istanbul Basaksehir

“Permanently leaving FC Schalke 04 was definitely not an easy decision for Ahmed,” said sporting Rouven Schröder. “Aside from the emotional side of this transfer, it’s an understandable step for him to take and one that makes sense for him in a sporting sense. We would like to wish Ahmed all the best for his future.”

Ahmed Kutucu joined the Knappenschmiede in 2011 from Rot-Weiss Essen, going on to play for all the club’s academy sides up until the U19s. The Gelsenkirchen-born striker made his Bundesliga debut in December 2018 away to FC Augsburg, scoring his maiden top-flight goal a few weeks later in a 3-1 victory in Stuttgart. Kutucu spent the second half of last season on loan at Heracles Almelo in the Eredivisie. The Turkey international played 45 Bundesliga games overall for the Royal Blues, scoring five goals and setting up a further three.