Kenan Yıldız (born 4 May 2005) is a footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Italian club Juventus U19. Born in Germany, he is a youth international for Turkey.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | (2005-05-04) 4 May 2005 (age 17) | ||
| Place of birth | Regensburg, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)[1] | ||
| Position(s) | Attacking midfielder | ||
| Club information | |||
Current team | Juventus U19 | ||
| Number | 19 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| Years | Team | ||
| 2010–2011 | Sallern Regensburg | ||
| 2011–2012 | Jahn Regensburg | ||
| 2012–2022 | Bayern Munich | ||
| 2022– | Juventus | ||
| National team‡ | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2021–2022 | Turkey U17 | 10 | (3) |
| 2022– | Turkey U21 | 1 | (0) |
| ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 13:43, 29 October 2022 (UTC) | |||
Yıldız was born in Regensburg, and began playing football at the youth academies of Sallern Regensburg and Jahn Regensburg.[2] He joined the youth academy of Bayern Munich in 2012 at the age of 7.[3] He worked his way up their youth categories, often acting as captain an eventually becoming a mainstay of their U19s.[4] In his final year with the Bayern U19s in the 2021–22 season, he contributed 6 goals and 8 assists in 20 matches.[5] His contract with Bayern Munich expired in July 2022, and the club confirmed that they were unable to resign Yıldız.[6] Barcelona and Juventus competed for his signing as he became a free agent.[7] On 12 July, Juventus confirmed his signing.[8] In September, he was inserted among the best 60 players born in 2005 by English newspaper The Guardian.[9]
Yıldız was born in Germany to a Turkish father and a German mother. He is a youth international for Turkey, having represented the Turkey U17s.[10] On 27 September 2022, Yıldız made his Turkey U21 debut, playing 28 minutes against Georgia U21.[11]
Yıldız is a modern midfielder, known for his strong passing and shots from outside the box. He is known for his excellent technique.[12] His most natural role is as playmaker, and he is noted for this strong frame. Aside from midfielder, he can also play as a winger.[1]