Kökcü joins Benfica!

INTERVIEW BTV

The midfielder Orkun Kökcü, 22 years old, is the new signing of Sport Lisboa e Benfica. The Turkish international comes from Feyenoord and signs a 5-year deal, until 2028. 

"Benfica is a very big club in Europe, they are very good in the Champions League and for me it’s the best step to develop myself. I feel like Benfica is a very warm family, they have great fans, and the Stadium is great. I also felt that Benfica was trying for a long time [to have me] and I had to be loyal to that. My parents came to watch Benfica-Inter in the Champions League. By that time, I had the feeling that I would like to join Benfica, and now I’m happy to be here, at Estádio da Luz. I’m very happy and proud and it’s the best move for my career", he said.

With the eagle on his chest, the Turkish will have the opportunity to play with Aursnes, former teammate at Feyenoord, and under Roger Schmidt’s command, a coach he faced in the Eredivisie...

"I played a season with Fredrik [Aursnes] and, when he came [to Benfica], I told him he was leaving too early. And now, one year after, I can play with him again. We combined well in the field. I’m happy to play with him and that Roger Schmidt is the coach because he knows me from the Dutch league, and I know him. It’s the perfect match", he defended.

The new player received the number 10 jersey from the hands of the President Rui Costa…

"It’s something important for me. I was young when our President was a football player, but I watched a lot of clips. He was a great player, a legend. It’s a massive honor to get the number 10 jersey from him. I feel honored and now I have to pay back on the pitch", he concluded.

In the last season (2022/23), Orkun Kökcü was named Footballer of the Year in the Netherlands, after 46 completed games, with more than 3900 minutes played, 12 goals and 5 assistances, stats from the Dutch League and Cup and Europa Cup.