- Ferdi Kadioglu joined Brighton from Fenerbahce in 2024
- Won Brighton’s Player of the Year award in 2026
- Established Turkey international with more than 30 caps
When Brighton & Hove Albion spent an initial £25 million to sign Ferdi Kadioglu from Fenerbahce in August 2024, they believed they were acquiring one of Europe’s most complete modern footballers.
Almost two years later, that belief has only strengthened.
The Turkey international arrives into the 2026/27 season as Brighton’s reigning Player of the Year and arguably one of the most important players in Fabian Hurzeler’s squad.
From NEC Nijmegen prospect to Fenerbahce star
Born in Arnhem in the Netherlands to a Turkish father and Dutch-Canadian mother, Kadioglu’s footballing journey began with NEC Nijmegen. Having spent more than eight years in the club’s academy, he made his senior debut in 2016 at just 16 years old.
His breakthrough season showcased his attacking talent, contributing four goals and four assists in the Eredivisie despite NEC’s eventual relegation. Kadioglu continued to impress in the Dutch second tier, registering seven goals and 12 assists during the 2017/18 campaign before attracting interest from abroad.
That interest culminated in a move to Turkish giants Fenerbahce in 2018.
Initially eased into first-team football, Kadioglu gradually established himself as one of the club’s most valuable assets. Across six seasons in Istanbul, he made more than 200 appearances, won the Turkish Cup and developed a reputation as one of the most versatile players in Turkish football.
Capable of operating at either full-back position, as a winger, wing-back or central midfielder, Kadioglu became invaluable because of his tactical flexibility and technical quality. Those attributes convinced Brighton to bring him to the Premier League.
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Why Brighton invested heavily in Kadioglu
His first season in England was interrupted by injury after making an encouraging start. Kadioglu scored his first Brighton goal in a Carabao Cup victory over Wolverhampton Wanderers before netting his first Premier League goal against Liverpool in November 2024.
A foot injury then restricted his involvement for much of the campaign. However, the 2025/26 season demonstrated exactly why Brighton invested so heavily.
Whether deployed at left-back, right-back, wing-back or further forward, Kadioglu became one of Hurzeler’s most reliable performers. His ability to progress the ball, carry possession through pressure and contribute in attacking areas made him a crucial component of Brighton’s system.
Those performances were recognised when he was voted Brighton’s Player of the Year in May 2026.
Internationally, Kadioglu’s rise has been equally impressive.
Choosing Turkey over the Netherlands and Canada
After representing the Netherlands from under-16 to under-21 level, he faced a major decision regarding his senior international future. Eligible for Turkey, the Netherlands and Canada, he ultimately chose Turkey in 2022.
The decision has proven a successful one. Kadioglu quickly established himself as a regular starter and was one of Turkey’s standout performers at Euro 2024, playing every minute as they reached the quarter-finals.
Now with 30 senior caps and counting, he has become one of the first names on the national team sheet.
At 26 years old, Kadioglu is entering the prime years of his career.
For Brighton, he represents far more than a full-back. He is a player capable of solving multiple tactical problems, adapting to different systems and influencing games in several positions.
In a squad filled with young talent, Ferdi Kadioglu has become one of the club’s most dependable stars.
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