Ümit Akdağ

Ümit Akdağ (born 6 October 2003) is a Romanian professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Süper Lig club Beşiktaş.

Club career

Alanyaspor After representing Steaua București and Chelsea at youth level, Akdağ moved to Turkish club Alanyaspor in 2017. He made his professional debut for the latter on 3 June 2023, coming on as a 46th-minute substitute for Umut Güneş in a 5–1 away Süper Lig loss to Trabzonspor.

Loan to Göztepe During the 2023–24 season, Akdağ was loaned out to TFF First League team Göztepe. He recorded his debut in a goalless draw at Ümraniyespor on 19 August 2023, and on 21 October scored his first senior goal in a 3–0 home win over Şanlıurfaspor.

Akdağ contributed with three goals from 25 appearances in the second tier championship, as Göztepe finished as runners-up and promoted to the Süper Lig.

Loan to Toulouse On 23 August 2024, Akdağ joined French club Toulouse on loan. He made his Ligue 1 debut on 22 September 2024, starting in a 2–0 away loss to Brest.

Beşiktaş On 2 September 2026, Akdağ joined Beşiktaş on a four-year deal.

International career In November 2023, Akdağ was called up by head coach Daniel Pancu to the Romania under-21 national team for the matches against Albania and Switzerland in the 2025 UEFA European Championship qualifiers. He made his debut on the 17th, coming on as 71st-minute substitute for Cătălin Vulturar in a 5–0 victory against the former opponent.

On 15 October 2024, Akdağ scored in a 3–1 home win over Switzerland, which secured Romania first place in its group and qualified it for its fourth consecutive European Under-21 Championship.

Personal life Ümit was born in Bucharest, Romania, to parents of Turkish ethnicity.

Career statistics