Fenerbahce, one of the biggest soccer clubs in Turkey, has just made two big signings that are getting fans really excited. The team announced that they have officially signed Slovakian defender Milan Skriniar from French club Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) and Portuguese defender Nelson Semedo from Wolverhampton Wanderers. Both players are well-known in the soccer world and bring a lot of experience to the team.
Let’s break it down in a way that’s easy to understand—and fun!
Who is Milan Skriniar?
Milan Skriniar is a professional soccer player from Slovakia. If you don’t know where Slovakia is, it’s a country in Central Europe, near Austria and Hungary. Skriniar plays as a center-back, which means he defends the goal and tries to stop the other team from scoring.
He’s known for being tough, smart, and always focused. He’s not the type of player who scores many goals, but he’s one of the reasons his team doesn’t let in many goals either.
Quick Skriniar Facts:
Position: Center-back (defender)
Country: Slovakia
Height: 6’2″ (He’s pretty tall!)
Jersey number: He often wears #37
Played in top European leagues: Serie A (Italy), Ligue 1 (France), and now Süper Lig (Turkey)
Skriniar used to play for Inter Milan in Italy. While he was there, he helped the team win the Serie A title in the 2020–21 season. That’s a big deal because Serie A is one of the top leagues in Europe.
In 2023, he moved to Paris Saint-Germain (PSG), which is one of the strongest teams in France. PSG has famous players like Kylian Mbappé and has won Ligue 1, the French league, many times in recent years.
Skriniar’s Time at Fenerbahce
Even though Skriniar had only joined PSG recently, he was loaned (which means temporarily sent) to Fenerbahce in January 2025. He played really well there and helped the team finish in second place in the Turkish Süper Lig, which is the top soccer league in Turkey.
Now, Fenerbahce has made the move permanent. Skriniar has signed a four-year contract with the club. That means he’ll be staying until at least 2029.
And here’s the big news: Fenerbahce will pay him 8 million euros (about $9.13 million) every year! That’s a lot of money—but it shows how important he is to the team.
What is the Turkish Süper Lig?
If you’re wondering, the Süper Lig is the top professional soccer league in Turkey. It features famous clubs like:
Fenerbahce
Galatasaray
Besiktas
Trabzonspor
Fenerbahce is based in Istanbul, a huge and historic city that is actually split between Europe and Asia! The club has a huge fan base and is one of the most successful teams in Turkey.
They’ve won the Süper Lig title 28 times (including some unofficial early titles) and are always competing at the top of the table.
Who is Nelson Semedo?
Fenerbahce didn’t stop with just Skriniar. They also signed Nelson Semedo, a right-back from Portugal. A right-back is another kind of defender, but they usually play on the right side of the field and also help attack sometimes.
Semedo is 31 years old and has played for some of the world’s biggest clubs:
Benfica (Portugal)
Barcelona (Spain)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (Wolves) (England)
At Barcelona, Semedo got to play alongside legends like Lionel Messi, and he won La Liga, which is Spain’s top league. That’s a major achievement!
After his time in Spain, Semedo moved to Wolves in the English Premier League, which is considered the toughest league in the world by many soccer experts.
Quick Semedo Facts:
🔁 Position: Right-back
🇵🇹 Country: Portugal
🏃 Known for his speed and stamina
🎯 Great at crossing and helping in attack
🆓 Joined Fenerbahce on a free transfer (meaning the club didn’t have to pay Wolves)
Semedo’s contract with Wolves ended earlier this year, so he was able to join Fenerbahce for free. He signed a two-year contract with the Turkish club.
Who is the Coach?
Both Skriniar and Semedo will be playing under Jose Mourinho, one of the most famous coaches in the world. Mourinho is known for his passion, intelligence, and for winning trophies wherever he goes.
He’s coached top teams like:
Chelsea
Inter Milan
Real Madrid
Manchester United
Roma
Mourinho has won the Champions League twice, once with Porto and once with Inter Milan. Having him as a coach is a big deal for Fenerbahce and their fans.
What Do These Transfers Mean?
By signing Skriniar and Semedo, Fenerbahce is showing that they’re serious about trying to win the league and compete in Europe. With experienced defenders, a world-class coach, and strong support from fans, the club is getting stronger.
Here’s why it matters:
Skriniar and Semedo make the defense much better
Both players have experience in top leagues and big tournaments
Fewer goals conceded = better chances of winning games
Fenerbahce could do well in UEFA competitions, like the Europa League or Champions League
Fun Soccer Facts
A typical soccer game lasts 90 minutes, split into two halves of 45 minutes each.
Most defenders don’t score often, but they’re crucial to stopping the other team.
The FIFA World Cup, held every four years, is the most-watched sporting event in the world.
Some defenders, like Paolo Maldini or Sergio Ramos, are legends just because of how good they were at defending.
Final Thoughts
With the signings of Milan Skriniar and Nelson Semedo, Fenerbahce is building a defense that fans can be proud of. Both players have proven themselves in Europe and will now try to help Fenerbahce win trophies in Turkey and beyond.
Whether you’re already a fan or just getting into soccer, it’s an exciting time to watch the Turkish Süper Lig—and Fenerbahce might be the team to follow this season!
