Jerome Opoku: Ghana Defender Makes Permanent Switch to Turkish Outfit Istanbul Basaksehir

• England-born Ghanaian defender, Jerome Opoku, has sealed a move to Turkish top flight side, Istanbul Basaksehir
• The Black Stars centre-back has signed a deal to join the club after a successful loan spell last season from FC Arouca
• The ex-Fulham youth star will rejoin his teammates next month for pre-season ahead of the 2024/25 season in Turkey

Black Stars defender, Jerome Opoku, has joined Turkish club, Istanbul Basaksehir, on a permanent deal in the summer transfer window.

The Ghanaian international signed a three-year deal to join the Super Lig side from Portuguese outfit, Arouca FC.

Opoku spent last season on loan at Basaksehir and convinced the club to trigger his buy option at the end of the recent season.

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The English-born centre-back also helped the capital city club qualify for the UEFA Europa Conference League next season.

"A three-year contract was signed with our player using the option of Jerome Opoku, whom we rented from the Portuguese club Arouca at the beginning of the 2023-2024 season with the option to purchase. We wish success to Jerome Opoku, who will continue his career as a valuable member of the Başakşehir family," the club on social media, confirming the defender would remain in Turkey.

The 25-year-old made 28 league appearances in the previous season, scoring four goals and delivering an assist last season, per Transfermarkt.

Opoku also made his Ghana debut last year in an international friendly against the United States. He has since made three appearances for the Black Stars, scoring in the draw against Uganda in Marrakesh in March.

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Jerome Opoku nets maiden Ghana goal

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Opoku netted his first goal for Ghana as they drew against Uganda in an international friendly in Morocco in March.

The towering centre-back was making his third appearance for the national team after previously featuring in the friendlies against the USA and also Nigeria.

The England-born defender made his debut in the 4-0 thrashing of Ghana by the USA last October but missed the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations in Ivory Coast.