Salih Uçan signs for Gençlerbirliği
Gençlerbirliği have completed the signing of experienced midfielder Salih Uçan, bringing the former Beşiktaş player to Ankara on a long-term deal. The capital club confirmed that Uçan has put pen to paper on a contract running until 2028, tying the 32-year-old to the team for several seasons.
The move marks a new chapter in Uçan’s career after his recent spell with Beşiktaş. The midfielder, who has been part of the Turkish top flight for many years, leaves the Istanbul giants to become one of the key pieces in Gençlerbirliği’s rebuilding process ahead of the coming campaigns.
From Beşiktaş to Ankara
Before joining Gençlerbirliği, Uçan most recently wore the black-and-white shirt of Beşiktaş. In the 2025-26 season, he featured in 23 matches for the club and contributed 1 assist. While those raw numbers may not fully reflect his influence, Uçan has often been valued for his positional sense, passing range and ability to link defense and attack rather than for standout statistics alone.
His exit from Beşiktaş at the end of last season opened the door to a new opportunity. Gençlerbirliği moved quickly to secure his signature, seeing in him both immediate quality and much-needed experience for a squad looking to establish itself firmly in the Trendyol Süper Lig.
Experienced midfield presence
At 32, Uçan arrives in Ankara as a seasoned professional. Over the years he has played in different tactical systems, operated both as a deep-lying playmaker and a more advanced midfielder, and dealt with the pressure that comes with being at big clubs. This versatility is expected to give Gençlerbirliği’s coaching staff more options in the center of the park.
His game is built on vision, intelligent positioning, and a calmness on the ball that can help a team control the tempo. For a side that often has to balance between solid defending and quick transitions, a midfielder with Uçan’s profile can become the focal point of build-up play.
Part of a broader transfer strategy
Uçan is not the only new face at Gençlerbirliği this transfer window. The Ankara club has already brought in several reinforcements: İrfan Can Eğribayat, Zafer Göktuğ, Ensar Çavuşoğlu and Sekou Koita have all joined the squad. Together with Uçan, this group of signings underlines a clear strategy: blend experience with hungry, ambitious players to strengthen the spine of the team.
İrfan Can Eğribayat adds depth in goal, Zafer Göktuğ and Ensar Çavuşoğlu bring options in defensive and wide areas, while Sekou Koita offers attacking firepower. With Uçan orchestrating play in midfield, Gençlerbirliği are gradually building a more balanced XI capable of competing over a long and demanding league season.
What Uçan can change for Gençlerbirliği
Gençlerbirliği have often struggled in matches where they could not keep control of the ball or dictate the rhythm. Uçan’s arrival is expected to address exactly that problem. His ability to receive under pressure, find vertical passes and switch play quickly can help the team spend more time in the opposition half instead of defending deep.
Moreover, his experience in high-pressure games can prove crucial in tight encounters against the league’s top sides. Younger teammates are likely to benefit from his leadership in training and on the pitch, especially in terms of positioning, decision-making and game management in the closing stages of matches.
Tactical fit and possible roles
The coaching staff can use Uçan in several roles depending on the opponent and match scenario. In a double pivot, he can operate as the more creative of the two holding midfielders, dropping between the center-backs to start attacks. In a three-man midfield, he can take on the “number 8” position, shuttling between boxes, supporting both defense and attack.
Set pieces are another area where Uçan’s technical ability might come into play. Accurate deliveries from corners and free-kicks can provide additional goal-scoring opportunities for the tall defenders and forwards Gençlerbirliği possess.
Long-term commitment until 2028
The fact that the contract runs until 2028 shows that Gençlerbirliği view this transfer as more than a short-term fix. The club is clearly betting on Uçan’s ability to remain an influential figure well into the next few seasons, both as a starter and, over time, possibly as a mentor to emerging talents in midfield.
This length of deal also offers stability for the player himself, allowing him to settle in the capital, integrate fully into the squad and focus on his performance without constant speculation about his future.
Expectations from fans and club
Supporters will expect Uçan to become one of the leaders of the team from the first whistle of the new season. With his background at major clubs and experience in big matches, the bar is naturally set high. The club hierarchy, on the other hand, will look for consistency: not just occasional standout performances, but a steady presence who raises the overall level of the squad.
If he can stay fit and maintain his form, Uçan has the potential to be the connecting piece between defense and attack that Gençlerbirliği have been missing in recent years.
A fresh start for player and club
For Salih Uçan, this transfer represents a fresh start in a new city, with a club eager to climb the league table and stabilize its position. For Gençlerbirliği, it is a statement signing that signals ambition and a clear sporting plan.
As the new season approaches, all eyes will be on how quickly Uçan adapts to his new surroundings and how effectively he can translate his experience into performances that help Gençlerbirliği achieve their goals in the Trendyol Süper Lig.