Yasin Özcan’s Journey to Aston Villa: A New Chapter for the Rising Turkish Star
In January, Aston Villa completed the signing of Yasin Özcan, a talented young defender from Turkish side Kasimpasa, for a reported fee of around £7 million. At just 18 years old, Özcan had already built a solid foundation in professional football, racking up 94 appearances for Kasimpasa—34 of them coming in the most recent season. Recognizing his potential, Villa moved quickly to secure his services as part of a long-term defensive strategy.
However, rather than immediately relocating to England, Özcan was allowed to remain in Turkey for the remainder of the season, mirroring the path taken by Kosta Nedeljkovic, another youthful addition to Villa’s ranks. This arrangement gave Özcan the chance to continue developing at home while mentally and physically preparing for the challenge of English football.
Speaking about the move, Özcan described how emotionally overwhelming the moment was for both himself and his family:
“When I first learned about the transfer, I was overjoyed. I came close to tears. My mother actually cried a bit. It felt surreal—I couldn’t sleep at all that night. Everyone around me, including my teammates, felt proud.”
Determined to make the most of this life-changing opportunity, Özcan has thrown himself into preparations with total commitment. His daily routine involves arriving at training early, staying late to put in extra work, and actively working on his mental resilience through reading and personal development. He’s also taking private English lessons to adapt to life in a new country and environment.
Recalling his first meeting with Unai Emery, Özcan explained that the manager emphasized two key areas for success: learning English and building physical strength.
“The first advice he gave me was to focus on the language and to be in top condition. He made it clear that they want me to arrive ready, not to start preparing once I’m here.”
Özcan holds Emery in high regard, pointing out how players like Jhon Durán have flourished under his guidance. He believes he too can grow significantly under the Spaniard’s leadership.
Moving abroad presents a major adjustment, especially for Özcan’s family, who have never lived outside of Turkey.
“This is their first experience moving to another country, so naturally they have concerns—things like different food and language barriers. There’s some anxiety, but I believe those issues are manageable.”
Aston Villa have high hopes for Özcan, envisioning him as a commanding presence in central defense. The player is eager to rise to the challenge and repay the faith shown in him.
“They see me as someone who can be a strong figure in a defensive pairing. That’s what I want too—to establish myself at Villa, win trophies with the club, and eventually earn a place in the national team. But for now, all my focus and effort are on succeeding at Aston Villa.”
