Kenan Yıldız

Youth career

He began playing football at the youth academies of Sallern Regensburg and Jahn Regensburg. He joined the youth academy of Bayern Munich in 2012 at the age of 7, and worked his way up their youth categories, often acting as captain and eventually becoming a mainstay of their U19s. In his final year with the Bayern U19s in the 2021–22 season, Yıldız contributed six goals and eight assists in 20 matches. Yıldız's contract with Bayern Munich expired in July 2022, and the club confirmed that they were unable to re-sign him. Barcelona and Juventus competed for his signing as he became a free agent. On 12 July, Juventus confirmed the signing of Yıldız. In September, he was included among the best 60 players born in 2005 by English newspaper The Guardian. After playing with the U19s, on 16 December, Yıldız was first called up to Juventus Next Gen—the reserve team of Juventus—for the match against Virtus Verona set to be played the following day. In that match, he was sent on as a substitute by coach Massimo Brambilla in the 61st minute to make his professional debut; the team lost 3–0. On 23 September 2023, he scored his first goal in professional football with a long-distance shot to open an away match against Ancona won 2–1.

Juventus

Yıldız made his Serie A debut for Juventus in a 3–0 away win over Udinese on 20 August 2023, coming on as a second-half substitute. Ten days later, he extended his contract with the club until 2027. He made his first…

Yıldız, also eligible to play for Germany, was a youth international for Turkey, having represented the Turkey U17s. On 27 September 2022, Yıldız made his Turkey U21 debut, playing 28 minutes against Georgia. In October 2023, Yıldız received his first call-up to the Turkey national team for two UEFA Euro 2024 qualifying matches against Croatia and Latvia. On 12 October, he made his full international debut as an 86th-minute substitute in the 1–0 win over Croatia. Yıldız scored his first international goal on 18 November 2023 in a friendly match with a 3–2 win over Germany, his mother's country and his country of birth, in Berlin. On 7 June 2024, he was selected in the 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.

Yıldız is a modern playmaker, known for his strong passing and shots from outside the box. He is also highly regarded in the media for his excellent technique and dribbling skills. His most natural role is as a playmaker, normally fielded as an attacking midfielder, although he has also been used in the mezzala role on occasion. Beyond his technical qualities, he is noted for this strong frame. Aside from the role of attacking midfielder, Yıldız can also play as a forward, either as a winger or second striker.

Kenan Yıldız was born in Regensburg, Germany, to his Turkish father Engin Yıldız and his German mother Beate Hackl.