How is ex-West Brom star Okay Yokuslu getting on in Turkey? | OneFootball

The former Baggies midfielder left the club this summer to return to one of his former sides, Trabzonspor.

Midfielder Okay Yokuslu left West Bromwich Albion during the summer transfer window, signing for Turkish Super Lig side Trabzonspor.

The Turkish international had entered the final year of his contract at The Hawthorns, with West Brom receiving a fee understood to be around €1.6million (£1.3m) for the 30-year-old.

Yokuslu played for Trabzonspor between 2015-2018, before moving to Spanish La Liga side Celta Vigo. It was from there that he would join the Baggies on a short-term loan in the second half of the 2020/21 Premier League season.

He would impress sufficiently enough during that brief spell with the club, so that when he became a free agent in the summer of 2022, Albion were quick to snap him up.

After two good years of service to the club, the industrious midfielder would once again leave The Hawthorns this summer, but how has he been faring since his move back to his homeland?

Football League World investigates...

Yokuslu has made strong start to Trabzonspor career

Being back in his native country and returning to a club that he knows well, it's probably fair to say most people thought that Yokuslu would hit the ground running for Trabzonspor, and he has.

As of 18 September 2024, the central midfielder has made seven appearances for the club, three of those coming in the league, whilst the other four came in the club's qualification ties for the Europa League and the Conference League respectively.

Predominantly seen operating from both the right and left of a midfield two - a role Baggies fans will have fond memories of seeing him perform in for their club -, Yokuslu has been one of Senol Gunes' top performers in the early weeks of the 2024/25 season, despite his side drawing all three of their opening Super Lig fixtures.

The former West Brom man was able to register his first goal back in Trabzonspor colours on 15 September, directing a powerful header into the corner of the net from roughly 12 yards, as the Black Sea Storm drew 1-1 with Besiktas.

What Yokuslu has been doing since his West Brom exit

It was evidently a time of mixed emotions when Yokuslu took the decision to leave The Hawthorns this summer, having posted a heartfelt goodbye message to the football club on Instagram.

Yokuslu said: " Thanks to my brothers in our dressing room, our fantastic manager, his staff, and everyone at the club. I loved every second I spent around the club. It’s been an absolute pleasure! Let’s see what the future brings, I will be supporting you from afar!

I wish you all the best and love you all Baggies! 💙"

The defensive midfielder was evidently delighted to be returning to Trabzonspor though, having posted shortly after penning that message to share his excitement at moving back to Turkey.

Yokuslu wrote: " My family and I are very happy to be a part of this beautiful community once again. We start a new journey with a dream to represent this great club in the best way, on and off the pitch. Hoping the storm blows very hard; We are happy.❤️💙"

Mid-September also saw the tireless midfielder reach an impressive personal landmark, as he made his 500th appearance of his professional career, dating back to when he made his debut with Turkish side Altay all the way back in the 2009/10 season.

The former West Brom midfielder seems to be enjoying life in Turkey, as he and his Trabzonspor side now look to start recording some much-needed wins in the league, as the club looks to build on their third-placed finish in the Turkish Super Lig last season.