İsmail Yüksek

İsmail Yüksek (born 26 January 1999) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Süper Lig side Fenerbahçe and the Turkey national team.

Club career Youth and Gölcükspor Yüksek began his youth career with hometown club Bursaspor and also played in youth level with Bursa Merinosspor, Yeşil Bursa, Yıldırım Belediyespor and Bursa Yıldırımspor. He started his professional career with Gölcükspor and played two successful season with them.

Fenerbahçe Yüksek signed a five-year contract with Fenerbahçe on 2 May 2020.

Loans On 5 October 2020, Yüksek joined Balıkesirspor on loan.

He returned to Fenerbahçe on 12 January 2021. Yüksek made his professional debut with Fenerbahçe in a 3–1 Süper Lig win over MKE Ankaragücü on 18 January 2021.

On 1 February 2021, he joined Adana Demirspor on loan in the TFF First League for the second half of the 2020–21 season.

He went on loan to Bursaspor for the 2021–22 season.

2022–23 season After return to Fenerbahçe, Yüksek made a very strong start to the 2022–23 season with coach Jorge Jesus, made good use of his first 11 chances and called to the national team. On 6 October, he was selected man of the match by supporters votes for his performance in the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League Group B third week AEK Larnaca match.

On 20 January 2023, Fenerbahçe announced to sign new contract with him until May 2027.

2023–24 season In his second season as a starter in the team, he made his top performance with new coach and team's local legend İsmail Kartal, he consolidate his place with Fenerbahçe and international team. He changed his shirt number from 80 to 5.

2024–25 season On 20 December 2024, he made his 100th appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahçe against Eyüpspor in a 1-1 Süper Lig away tie.

On 28 March 2025, he extended his contract with Fenerbahçe until May 2028.

2025–26 season On 2 November 2025, he scored his first league goal for Fenerbahçe against Beşiktaş in a 2-3 Süper Lig away derby victory.

International career Without any youth international experience, Yüksek made his international debut against Luxembourg on 22 September 2022, coming on as an 81st minute substitute and he scored his first goal six minutes later. He wasn't selected to the Turkey youth national teams and directly played for senior level.

On 12 October 2023, he has become the first player to record 15+ duels and 10+ possessions won in a single Euro 2024 qualifier game, winning 16 duels and recovering 12 possessions against Croatia.

On 2 June 2026, Yüksek was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Style of play Yüksek is an all-round, box-to-box midfielder. He is known for his vision, technique, aggressive tackling, athletic attributes, stamina, and powerful, accurate long range shooting with his right foot. A versatile hard-working player, he is capable of playing center and defensive midfield roles, while adapting himself to several different formations, but usually operated in the centre of the pitch.

Career statistics Club

International

+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsTurkey 2022 4 1 2023 8 0 2024 9 0 2025 8 0 2026 5 0Total 34 1

Scores and results show Turkey's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Yüksek goal. Turkish Super Cup: 2025