Cenk Özkacar (born 6 October 2000) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a defender for Turkish club Trabzonspor and the Turkey national team. Mainly a centre-back, he can also play as a left-back.
Club career Early years in Turkey Born in İzmir, Özkacar spent his youth career at local teams Bucaspor, Altinordu and Altay. He made his professional debut in 2018, while on loan at Karacabey Belediyespor, before returning to Altay the following year.
Lyon On 18 August 2020, Özkacar joined Ligue 1 club Lyon on a five-year deal. On 21 April 2021, he made his debut for Lyon as a late substitute for Léo Dubois during a 2–0 loss to Monaco in the Coupe de France.
Loan to Leuven On 6 July 2021, Belgian First Division A team OH Leuven added Özkacar on loan from Lyon for one season.
Valencia In August 2022, Özkacar signed on loan for La Liga side Valencia. On 1 July 2023, the club exercised their buy-option in the loan contract, signing him permanently on a five-year contract.
However, Özkacar scored an own-goal in a 1–0 loss against Deportivo Alavés, and only started 35% of matches in La Liga by January 2024, leading some media outlets to report he was seeking a move away in order to make it in Turkey's UEFA Euro 2024 squad.
Loan to Valladolid On 29 August 2024, Özkacar was loaned to fellow Spanish top-tier side Real Valladolid on a one-year deal.
Loan to Köln On 9 August 2025, Özkacar moved on loan to 1. FC Köln in Germany.
Trabzonspor On 18 July 2026, Özkacar returned to Turkey, signing for Trabzonspor.
International career Özkacar was capped six times by the Turkey U21s.
He had his first cap with the Turkey senior national team on 8 June 2022, getting subbed on in the UEFA Nations League match against Lithuania, replacing Ozan Kabak in the 76th minute. He managed to help his team keeping the clean sheet and ended up winning 6–0.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueNational cupOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsKaracabey Belediyespor (loan)2018–19TFF Third League2111020241Altay2019–20TFF First League12040—160Lyon2020–21Ligue 10010—10Lyon B2020–21Championnat National 220——20OH Leuven (loan)2021–22Belgian Pro League32220—342Valencia (loan)2022–23La Liga1703010210Valencia2023–24La Liga23020—250Real Valladolid (loan)2024–25La Liga11010—1201. FC Köln (loan)2025–26Bundesliga25020—270Career total1433160301623
International
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsTurkey202230202340202420Total90
References
External links