Trabzonspor continues to shine not only in Turkish football but also on the European stage, thanks to the exceptional performance of its U19 squad. Managed by Head Coach Eyüp Saka, the Trabzonspor U19 team stands out with its strong technical staff and promising young talents who are shaping the club’s future.
The technical team supporting Saka includes Assistant Coach Fatih Bıyık, Goalkeeper Coach Ahmet Başkır, Match Analyst Abdullah Kağan Yavuz, and Team Manager Mustafa Özbalıkçı. Together, they are dedicated to preparing Trabzonspor’s academy players for top-level football.
For the most comprehensive updates on Trabzonspor U19 matches, player development, and rising stars promoted to the senior team, fans can follow Günebakış Trabzonspor Haber.
2024-2025 Trabzonspor U19 Squad
The 2024-2025 U19 squad features a total of 28 players, with an average age of 18-19, primarily consisting of talents nurtured within Trabzonspor’s youth academy. The squad is structured as follows:
Goalkeepers: Onuralp Çevikkan, Erol Can Çolak, Ahmet Yıldırım, Muhammet Can Aktaş, Erman Ayvaz
Defenders: Arda Öztürk, İbrahim Keskin, Taha Emre İnce, Yakuphan Sarıalioğlu (center-backs); Bican Tibukoğlu, Turan Deniz Tuncer (left-backs); Oğuzhan Yılmaz (right-back)
Midfielders: Gökdeniz Kazaz, Alihan Erdoğan, Ahmet Babat, Batuhan Mumci, Mehmet Emir Mezereli (defensive midfielders); Boran Başkan, Muhammed Ali Çamkerten (central midfielders); Ekrem Terzi, Ömer Faruk Duymaz (attacking midfielders)
Forwards: Ömer Faruk Karahan, Onuralp Çakıroğlu (left-wingers); Abdurrahman Bayram, Melikşah Özcan, Yiğit Kemal Turan, Esat Yiğit Alkurt (right-wingers); Mustafa Ateş (center-forward)
Domestic Glory: Two-Time U19 League Champions
Trabzonspor U19 has claimed the Turkish U19 Elite League championship twice in recent years:
2020-2021 Season: Trabzonspor defeated Galatasaray U19 1-0 in the final held at the Arslan Zeki Demirci Sports Complex in Antalya. Emir Yazıcı’s goal secured the championship and qualified the team for the 2021-2022 UEFA Youth League.
2023-2024 Season: The team triumphed again, beating Yılport Samsunspor U19 3-2 in the final. Goals came from Abdurrahman Bayram, Poyraz Efe Yıldırım, and Yiğit Kemal Turan. Following the victory, Trabzonspor Senior Team Coach Abdullah Avcı personally presented the trophy to the young players.
Trabzonspor U19 consistently finishes in the top ranks of the Elite League, showcasing a solid track record of player development and team success.
Making History in Europe: UEFA Youth League Journey
Trabzonspor U19 has also made its mark on the international stage through the UEFA Youth League. The team first participated in the 2021-2022 season and became the first Turkish side to reach the last 16 of the tournament.
However, the 2024-2025 season stands out as the team’s most successful European campaign to date. After qualifying as Turkish champions, Trabzonspor U19 embarked on an impressive run:
Eliminated Buducnost Podgorica (Montenegro) and FK Sarajevo (Bosnia-Herzegovina) with an aggregate score of 8-3 against both opponents.
Defeated Juventus U19 (1-0) in the round of 32.
Advanced past Atalanta U19 in the round of 16 via penalty shootout.
Beat Inter U19 (1-0) in the quarterfinals.
Secured a historic victory over Salzburg U19 (2-1) in the semifinals to reach the final.
With this achievement, Trabzonspor U19 became the first Turkish team ever to reach the UEFA Youth League final, a significant milestone for Turkish football. Notably, the quarterfinal against Inter in Trabzon drew a record-breaking crowd of 40,368 spectators, setting a new attendance record for the tournament.
The UEFA Youth League final between Trabzonspor U19 and Barcelona U19 is scheduled to take place on April 28, 2025, in Nyon, Switzerland.
A Proven Talent Factory: Academy Graduates Who Shaped Turkish Football
Trabzonspor’s youth academy has long been recognized as a crucial talent pipeline for both the club and Turkish football. Several academy graduates have left a lasting impact on the sport:
Hami Mandıralı: Legendary forward and one of Trabzonspor’s all-time top scorers.
Fatih Tekke: Former captain and striker, celebrated for his goal-scoring achievements in the 2000s.
Gökdeniz Karadeniz: Versatile attacker who starred for Trabzonspor before continuing his career at Rubin Kazan.
Yusuf Yazıcı: Midfield maestro who transferred to Lille OSC in 2019 after emerging from the Özkan Sümer Academy.
Abdülkadir Ömür: Key playmaker and current Trabzonspor star, debuting at just 17 years old.
Uğurcan Çakır: Senior team captain and standout goalkeeper, integral to Trabzonspor’s recent successes.
Ahmetcan Kaplan: Talented defender who moved to Ajax in 2022, underlining the academy’s ability to produce European-level talent.
Looking Ahead: The Future of Trabzonspor
Driven by its rich history and forward-thinking academy approach, Trabzonspor continues to nurture the next generation of football stars. With strong domestic achievements and a groundbreaking run in the UEFA Youth League, the U19 team not only reflects the club’s ambition but also positions Trabzonspor as a beacon of youth development in Europe.