Istanbul Basaksehir seals permanent signing of Ghana defender Jerome Opoku

Turkish outfit Istanbul Basaksehir have successfully secured the permanent signing of Ghanaian defender Jerome Opoku following an impressive loan spell at the club.

Opoku has put pen to paper on a three-year contract ahead of the start of the new football season.

The Black Stars defender joined Istanbul Basaksehir on loan from Portuguese club Arouca at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season with the option to purchase.

However, The Turkish outfit have triggered the purchase option to tie the Ghanaian international down at the club until 2027.

The 25-year-old centre-back played a pivotal role in the recently concluded campaign for Basaksehir as they secure qualification to feature in Europe next season.

He was rock-solid at the back and gave top defenders in the Turkish top-flight tough time last season.

Opoku racked up four goals and provided just an assists in 28 appearances in the Turkish Super Liga during the 2023/24 season.

The lanky defender was included in the Black Stars squad for the 2026 World Cup qualifying games against Mali and Central Africa Republic early June.

Since making his debut in October 2023, the highly-rated defender has made three appearances for the Black Stars, scoring one goal in the process.