Kenan Yıldız

Full Name:
Kenan Yıldız
Date of Birth:
Wednesday 4 May 2005
Nationality:

Turkish playmaker and emerging Juventus icon

Born in Regensburg to a Turkish father and a German mother on 4 May 2005, Kenan Yıldız is a modern playmaker who has attracted attention across Europe. Collectors and fans on Walkouts will recognise the appeal of an authenticated shirt from a player who progressed through elite academies before making his mark at senior level. His technical quality, passing range and long distance shooting have become defining traits as he established himself at Juventus.

Yıldız began his football education at the local sides Sallern Regensburg and Jahn Regensburg before joining the academy of Bayern Munich in 2012. He rose through the age groups and became a mainstay and occasional captain for the youth sides. In the 2021-22 season for the Bayern U19s he produced a notable return of 6 goals and 8 assists in 20 matches, a record that helped prompt interest from top European clubs when his contract expired in July 2022.

After leaving Bayern as a free agent, Yıldız signed for Juventus on 12 July 2022. He was included in The Guardian's list of the best players born in 2005 that September, and soon after he was introduced to professional football with Juventus' reserve side. He was first called up to Juventus Next Gen in mid-December 2022 and made his professional debut the following day, entering as a substitute in a match that provided his first taste of senior competition.

The 2023-24 season marked a clear step into senior football. Yıldız made his Serie A debut on 20 August 2023, and he recorded his first senior start on 23 December 2023, scoring the opener in a 2-1 win over Frosinone and becoming the club's youngest foreign goalscorer in the competition. He continued to build momentum and later extended his contract with Juventus, solidifying his role within the first team and adopting increased responsibility within the squad.

Honours and accolades have arrived in quick succession. At club level he was part of the squad that won the Coppa Italia 2023-24. Individually he has been recognised with awards including the Golden Boy 2024, Serie A Goal of the Month January 2025, inclusion in the Serie A Team of the Season 2024-25, and the Serie A Goal of the Season 2024-25. These achievements reflect his growing influence and key contributions in decisive matches.

Internationally Yıldız represented Turkey at youth level and progressed through the U21s, making his U21 debut on 27 September 2022. He received his first senior call up in October 2023 and made his full international debut as a substitute on 12 October 2023. He scored his first senior international goal on 18 November 2023 in a friendly victory over Germany in Berlin, and he was named in Turkey's squad for UEFA Euro 2024 on 7 June 2024.

For collectors, signed shirts and authenticated memorabilia carry provenance tied to standout moments, such as his first start and goal on 23 December 2023, the curled Champions League opener on 17 September 2024, and the decisive brace in the Derby d'Italia on 27 October 2024. Match-worn jerseys, limited edition signed shirts and certificates of authenticity connect those moments to tangible items, making them meaningful additions to any memorabilia collection.

Looking ahead Yıldız combines youthful potential with a track record of notable performances for club and country. Wearing the club's number 10 shirt and featuring in major competitions, he remains a player whose signed shirts and authenticated autographs will be sought after. Walkouts offers collectors access to certified pieces that capture the early chapters of what promises to be a lasting football legacy.