Transfers
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OFFICIEL
Esenler Erokspor Secure Furkan Orak From Rizespor in Deadline-Day Loan
The 24-year-old Turkish defender, who spent the spring on the sidelines, returns to his boyhood club on a short-term deal until the end of the season.
Furkan Orak is back where it began. The 24-year-old Turkish defender has joined Esenler Erokspor from Rizespor on loan, with the deal confirmed on 21 August 2026. It is a reunion of sorts for a player whose professional journey has circled between the İstanbul outfit and the Black Sea coast.
At a glance
- Age: 24 | Position: Defender | Squad number: 70
- Move: Loan from Rizespor to Esenler Erokspor on 21 Aug 2026
- Born: Balıkesir, Türkiye | Height: 179 cm | Weight: 73 kg
Career context
Orak’s path has been a winding one. He began his senior career away from the spotlight, departing Çatalcaspor for Esenler Erokspor on a free transfer in July 2024. That move represented an opportunity to stake a claim in the competitive Turkish lower divisions, where Erokspor were pushing for promotion.
His performances earned a move to the Süper Lig with Rizespor in June 2025. However, game time proved elusive. Across the 2025 Süper Lig season, Orak managed just one appearance — a late substitute outing in which he played 11 minutes — and spent the majority of the campaign among the substitutes’ bench, featuring in 22 matchday squads but starting none.
A brief spell on the sidined list in March 2025 — ruled out due to yellow-card accumulation rather than injury — further limited his rhythm. Now, with the transfer window closing, he returns to Esenler Erokspor, the club where he first cut his teeth as a senior professional.
How he fits at his new club
At Esenler Erokspor, Orak slots back into a defensive line that will be looking to shore up its backline as the new campaign gathers pace. Standing at 179 cm with a lean 73 kg frame, he is not a towering presence, but his technique rating of 59 suggests comfort on the ball — a trait increasingly prized in modern defensive setups that favour build-up play from the back.
Apps
Goals
Assists
Minutes
Rating
His API-Football attributes tell a clear story: an attacking output of 0 and a creation score of 0 underline that he is not expected to contribute directly in the final third. Instead, his defensive metric of 18 and a duels rating of 0 suggest a player still developing his physical and positional game at the highest level. For Erokspor, he offers depth rather than an immediate starter, capable of filling in across the back four when needed.
Given his familiarity with the club’s structure from his earlier stint, Orak should require minimal acclimatisation. His ability to operate as a utility defender — comfortable at both centre-back and full-back given his height and build — gives the coaching staff flexibility in rotation.
Recent numbers
Orak’s recent statistical output is limited, reflecting his status as a peripheral figure at Rizespor:
- Appearances (2025 Süper Lig): 1
- Minutes played: 11
- Starts: 0
- Substitute appearances: 1
- Bench appearances: 22
- Rating: 6.2
- Passes completed: 2 (50% accuracy)
- Duels won: 0 of 3
- Interceptions: 1
- Dribbles attempted: 1
- Goals: 0
- Assists: 0
His lone appearance came as a substitute, and his pass accuracy of 50% over just two attempted passes highlights how brief his involvement was. The rating of 6.2, while not alarming, reflects a player who made little statistical impact in his limited minutes.
Key takeaways
| Metric | Rizespor 2025 | Erokspor 2024 (prior loan spell) |
|---|---|---|
| Appearances | 1 | Not specified |
| Minutes | 11 | — |
| Starts | 0 | — |
| Rating | 6.2 | — |
| Height | 179 cm | 179 cm |
| Position | Defender | Defender |
- Familiar territory: Orak returns to Esenler Erokspor, where he previously played before his Süper Lig move.
- Limited game time: Just 11 minutes across the entire 2025 league season at Rizespor indicates a need for regular football.
- Technical comfort: A technique rating of 59 suggests he can handle the ball under pressure, useful for Erokspor’s build-up play.
- Defensive development: With a defensive attribute of 18 and duels rating of 0, Orak is likely to benefit from coaching and match experience rather than immediate responsibility.
- Short-term opportunity: The loan deal gives both player and club a low-risk chance to assess his fit within their system.
For now, Orak’s return to Esenler Erokspor represents a chance to rediscover his rhythm and prove himself in a system he knows well. If he can convert his technique into consistent minutes, the 24-year-old may yet find his place in Turkey’s increasingly competitive defensive landscape.