Juventus talent Kenan Yildiz took a bold decision in a key moment of his growth process as a footballer, opting to leave Bayern Munich and join the Turin giants for a project that he saw as ‘convincing’.
The decision has since paid off, as Yildiz played a single season with Juventus Next Gen side before he was asked to move to the first team, where he started to play with impressive regularity for his age under coach Massimiliano Allegri.
The Turkey international made 27 appearances as a Bianconeri senior team player in the 2023/2024 season, also scoring in his first Serie A start against Frosinone in December 2023. He’s since been given Juventus’ number 10 shirt, eventually proving that his decision to leave a prestigious club such as Bayern Munich was right.
Yildiz: Juventus’ ‘convincing project’ persuaded me to leave Bayern Munich
Yildiz was asked why he decided to swap Bayern Munich for the Bianconeri as a teenager in an interview with La Gazzetta dello Sport: “Because Juventus offered me better opportunities,” he replied.
“The project was convincing and I felt at ease since the first moment.”
The 19-year-old also explained how his move to Turin coincided with a tactical evolution, as he was required to play more advanced.
“I always played in midfield in the youth sides, then they moved me on the flank at Juventus. I play wherever they need me to,” he added.
Yildiz is still to find his first Serie A goal this season, although he scored on his Champions League debut to pave the way for his side’s 3-1 win over PSV Eindhoven.
“Football isn’t just about goals,” he said.
“It’s better when you score, but I focus more on my play and what the coach asks me.”