This profile is updated for September 2026 and reflects where Ferdi Kadioglu stands after a breakthrough campaign that saw him named Brighton’s Player of the Year in May 2026. For supporters asking is Kadioglu a starter for Brighton, that award alone offers a strong answer. He begins the new season as one of Fabian Hurzeler’s most trusted players at the Amex.
Kadioglu joined Brighton in August 2024 from Fenerbahce and has built his reputation on consistency ever since. The sections below cover his rise through Dutch and Turkish football, his place in the Turkey squad, and exactly where he fits in Hurzeler’s plans now.
From NEC Nijmegen to Fenerbahce success
Kadioglu’s career began in the Netherlands. He made his senior debut for NEC Nijmegen in 2016, aged just 16, a remarkably young age to break into first team football.
He later moved to Fenerbahce, where he spent six seasons and made more than 200 appearances for the Istanbul club. During that spell he won the Turkish Cup, establishing himself as a regular in one of Turkish football’s biggest sides before his switch to the Premier League.
International commitment with Turkey
Kadioglu committed his international future to Turkey in 2022. Two years later he played every minute of Euro 2024 as Turkey reached the quarter finals, a run that raised his profile across Europe.
That tournament showed a player comfortable under pressure on the biggest stage. It is the same reliability Albion fans have since come to expect from him at club level.
Brighton arrival and fee
Brighton signed Kadioglu in August 2024, paying an initial fee of £25 million to bring him from Fenerbahce to the Premier League. It marked a significant outlay for a club that has built its recent transfer business on finding undervalued talent before the wider market catches on.
His arrival gave Hurzeler a versatile option capable of playing across defence and midfield, and he has been a fixture in the squad since settling into English football.
Is Kadioglu a starter for Brighton?
Yes, Kadioglu is a regular starter for Brighton. His status was confirmed beyond doubt when he was named the club’s Player of the Year in May 2026, an award voted for by supporters that recognised his importance across the campaign.
The award followed his performances since arriving in August 2024, when he settled quickly into Hurzeler’s side after his £25 million move from Fenerbahce. For anyone still asking, is Kadioglu a starter for Brighton, the Player of the Year vote is the clearest evidence available. Supporters do not hand that trophy to a fringe player.
What happens next for Kadioglu at the Amex
As the 2026/27 season continues, Kadioglu is expected to remain a key figure in Hurzeler’s plans, building on the recognition he earned in May 2026. Brighton fans will hope he can maintain that level for both club and country.
His international career continues alongside his Albion duties, with Turkey likely to lean on his experience from Euro 2024 in future qualifying campaigns. For the full background on his path to England, see our original Ferdi Kadioglu profile.
