Everything You Wanted to Know About Kenan Yıldız

Date of birth	May 4, 2005
Place of birth	Bavaria, Germany
Citizenship	Turkey
Height	187 cm
Weight	79 kg

BIOGRAPHY

Kenan Yıldız is one of the brightest young footballers of the new generation. He was born on May 4, 2005, in Regensburg (Germany) to a Turkish father and a German mother. From an early age, it was clear: this was not just a gifted child, but a player with rare football intelligence.

The Path Through Bayern’s Academy

Yıldız began playing football in his hometown of Regensburg, and in 2012 he entered the system of FC Bayern Munich. He was only seven.

At the academy, he went through every stage of development, often wore the captain’s armband, and quickly established himself as one of the leaders of his age group. In the 2021/22 season, playing for Bayern’s U19, Kenan recorded 6 goals and 8 assists in 20 matches — solid numbers for an attacking midfielder.

His contract with the Munich club expired in the summer of 2022, and the parties were unable to agree on an extension. A battle for the talented free agent followed — Europe’s giants showed interest. In the end, Yıldız chose Juventus.

Rise in Turin

On July 12, 2022, Juventus officially announced the signing of Yıldız. He initially played for the U19s, then was called up to Juventus Next Gen — the club’s reserve team.

On December 16, 2022, Kenan made his professional debut. By September 2023, he scored his first senior goal — a long-range strike in a match against Ancona.

Yıldız made his Serie A debut on August 20, 2023, against Udinese. And on December 23 of the same year, he made his first start for the first team and immediately scored the winning goal against Frosinone. That goal made him Juventus’ youngest foreign goalscorer in Serie A.

In the summer of 2024, the club extended his contract until 2029 and entrusted him with the legendary number 10 — a symbol of special status in Turin.

In the 2024/25 season, Yıldız established himself in the starting lineup:

scored in the UEFA Champions League,
netted a brace in the derby against Inter,
produced one of the most beautiful goals of the season in the derby against Torino.

He finished the league campaign with seven goals and played an important role in Juve’s run at the 2025 FIFA Club World Cup.

In the 2025/26 season, Yıldız fully moved into key-player status. He won the Serie A Player of the Month award in August, became the youngest captain in Juventus’ history, and in February 2026 extended his contract until 2030.

Turkey National Team Career

Despite being born in Germany, Yıldız chose to represent Turkey. In October 2023, he made his debut for the national team, and in November he scored his first goal — against Germany in Berlin. Symbolic.

In the summer of 2024, Kenan was included in Turkey’s squad for Euro 2024 and established himself as one of the most promising players of his generation.

Yıldız is a modern attacking midfielder: technical, with a powerful shot from outside the box, capable of playing both centrally and on the flank. He is already being compared to Mesut Özil, and in Italy the name Del Piero is being mentioned more and more often — not by chance: Kenan now wears the “10” once worn by the great Italian.

PERSONAL LIFE

Away from the pitch, Kenan Yıldız is far from a glossy celebrity. Those who know him personally describe him as calm, disciplined, and family-oriented. No loud parties, no unnecessary noise.

Family and Roots

Kenan was born in Regensburg into an international family. His father, Engin Yıldız, is Turkish; his mother, Beate Hakl, is German. This blend of cultures shaped his character: on the one hand, German organization; on the other, Turkish emotionality and strong family ties.

Despite an early move to Italy, Yıldız has always emphasized his connection to Turkey and respect for his roots. For this very reason, he decided to represent the Turkey national team.

A Reserved Personality

Yıldız does not behave like a typical young footballer who has just landed a big contract and media attention. He rarely appears in tabloids and gives almost no reason for off-field speculation.

Within the team, he is considered even-tempered, detail-oriented, and respectful toward senior teammates. He avoids conflict and does not like public statements.

Personal Stance

Kenan consciously avoids demonstrative publicity. He prefers to speak on the pitch rather than on social media. For him, development and stability matter more than the status of a media star.

In an era when young talents quickly turn into influencers, Yıldız looks different — more like a classic, old-school footballer for whom private life remains private.

INTERESTING FACTS

Born in Germany, chose Turkey
Although Kenan was born in Bavaria and went through the German football school, at national-team level he made a conscious choice in favor of Turkey. And already in his second match for the national team, he scored against Germany — in Berlin, the city of his birth. Almost cinematic.
Received the “10” at 19
At Juventus, the number 10 is not just a number. It’s Baggio. It’s Del Piero. It’s a symbol. Yıldız received it ahead of the 2024/25 season — a step the club takes only when it has complete confidence in a player.
Juventus’ youngest captain
In September 2025, Yıldız led the team out wearing the captain’s armband. He was 20. For a club with such historical weight, it’s a very serious sign of trust.
A “Del Piero-style” goal
In the Champions League, he scored “from the Del Piero zone” — a trademark strike from the left half-space into the far corner. A paradox? Yıldız admitted he had never seen Del Piero’s legendary 1995 goal. Instinct did the work.
Among the best of his generation
Even before his breakthrough into Juventus’ first team, he made The Guardian’s list of the 60 most promising young players in the world. He was 17 at the time.
Compared to Özil
Yıldız is often called the “Turkish Özil” for his technique, lightness of movement, and vision. But inside Juventus, he is more often compared to Del Piero — for his tendency to drift in from the flank and finish attacks with long-range strikes.
A rise in three seasons
In three years, he went from a free agent without a contract to one of the faces of Juventus and a key player for the national team. Not the most standard route — but a very telling one.