Nathan Ake completes Fenerbahce move after six trophy-laden years at Man City

Nathan Ake completes Fenerbahce move after six trophy-laden years at Man City Nathan Ake has completed his move from Manchester City to Turkish giants Fenerbahce, ending a successful six-year spell at the Etihad Stadium. Fenerbahce confirmed the arrival of the Netherlands international on Friday after reaching an agreement with the player, although the club did not disclose the length of his contract or the financial details of the transfer. The 31-year-old leaves Manchester having established himself as one of the club’s most reliable defensive options during one of the most successful periods in their history. Ake joined City from Bournemouth in the summer of 2020 in a deal worth around €45 million. He went on to make 177 appearances in all competitions while helping the club win 12 major trophies. His honours include four Premier League titles, Champions League, FA Cups, Club World Cup and several domestic cups. Capable of playing at centre-back or left-back, Ake earned a reputation for his composure on the ball, tactical intelligence and consistency in big matches. Although injuries disrupted parts of his final seasons in Manchester, he remained an important member of the squad whenever available. Ake also represented the Netherlands at the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America. He featured in three of his country’s four matches at the tournament and started the round-of-32 defeat to Morocco, which brought the Dutch campaign to an early end. His departure comes during a period of significant change at Manchester City. Pep Guardiola brought his hugely successful spell as manager to an end earlier this year, with Enzo Maresca succeeding him at the Etihad. City have also overseen a number of changes within the playing squad as they prepare for a new era following Guardiola’s departure. For Fenerbahce, Ake represents another statement signing as the Istanbul club attempt to reclaim the Turkish Super Lig title. The Yellow Canaries narrowly missed out on the championship last season, finishing one point behind fierce rivals Galatasaray. The club subsequently changed managers, with Ismail Kartal returning for a fourth spell in charge after the departure of Domenico Tedesco. Ake is expected to link up with his new team-mates during Fenerbahce’s pre-season training camp in Austria once the remaining administrative formalities are completed. His arrival adds considerable experience to Kartal’s defence as the club prepares for another domestic title challenge and a campaign in European competition. After six memorable years in Manchester, Ake now begins a new chapter in Turkey, where Fenerbahce will hope his winning mentality and experience at the highest level can help end the club’s lengthy wait to be crowned Turkish champions once again.