Breaking: Aston Villa confirm summer transfer as pre-contract agreement struck
Aston Villa have confirmed the signing of Yasin Ozcan on a pre-contract agreement.
The 18-year-old defender will link up with Unai Emery's squad in the summer after spending the remainder of this season on loan at Kasimpasa, who are currently sitting comfortably in mid-table in the Turkish top-flight.
He enjoyed a breakthrough Super Lig campaign with Kasimpasa in 2022/23, featuring 19 times in the league and scoring twice either side of his 17th birthday.
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He then became a mainstay in the Kasimpasa starting XI last season, starting 33 of the club's 38 Super Lig matches. Ozcan continued to impress at the start of this season, featuring predominantly at left centre-back, but he has also played plenty of games at left-back too since coming through the ranks.
Ozcan is one of the most promising talents coming out of Turkey, though he is yet to make his debut for his nation. He was called up to the squad for their June friendlies before EURO 2024, but was not named in the squad for the summer tournament. He was on the bench in Turkey's most recent game against Montenegro back in November.
The Guardian also picked Ozcan as one of their Next Generation players in 2023 - essentially a list of the best players born in 2006. They mention how he idolises former Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos.
