Zeki Çelik

About

Mehmet Zeki Çelik (Turkish pronunciation: [ˈzeci ˈtʃelik]; born 17 February 1997) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays for Serie A club Juventus and the Turkey national team. Mainly a right-back, he can also be deployed as a centre-back in a back three.

Çelik was born on 17 February 1997 in Yıldırım, Bursa Province. He is of Kurdish descent.

Born in Bursa as the youngest of nine children, Çelik went through the Bursaspor youth academy and became a professional in 2015. He signed on loan with Karacabey Birlikspor in 2015.

In 2016, he joined İstanbulspor. His good performance with İstanbulspor earned him a call-up to the senior Turkey national team in 2018, despite playing in the TFF First League.

On 8 July 2018, Çelik signed for Lille in France on a five-year contract. Çelik made his professional debut in a 3–1 Ligue 1 win over Stade Rennes on 11 August 2018.

On 5 July 2022, Çelik’s transfer to Roma from Lille was made official by the Serie A club, Roma. He has signed a four-year contract with the Giallorossi that runs until 30 June 2026. He made his Serie A debut in a 1–0 win over…