Cenk Özcakar: “I’m going to give everything for this club”

Cenk Özkacar has had the option to buy him taken up by Valencia CF, keeping him at the club on a permanent deal through to 2028. In his time on loan from Olympique Lyonnais, he played a total of 21 games in LaLiga, the Copa del Rey and the Spanish Supercopa

The deal through to 2028

I am very happy to have signed a permanent deal. I have felt very loved by the club and by the fans. I knew that I was joining a great team and time has shown that to be true. Now I want to continue being happy during all these many years that remain on my contract.

Unity

I have felt very good. That his been thanks to my teammates, the entire club and the members of the coaching staff. We have been a family and that has been noticed when we had bad results. Together, we were able to respond with more work and more effort. I have always liked Spanish football and, now that I know it better, I have to say that it is a very competitive league in which any team can beat any other side.

A tough first season

We struggled a lot, but we achieved safety. We have all suffered a lot and the fans have been key this season. In the most difficult moments, they have helped us pick ourselves back up, both at Mestalla and away from home. Remembering the match in Elche still gives me goosebumps, as thousands of Valencianistas made us feel as if we were in our own stadium. They have been very important and they deserved to have Valencia CF in the Primera División

His quick adaptation

It has all been thanks to my teammates and the people with whom I have worked. A lot of people have helped me this season. I want to thank everyone. We have been a family. Together, we have responded with more work and more effort. I have felt, from day one, that we are a family. People have always wanted to help each other out, and this has made it easier to adapt to Spain and Valencia.

Consistent work

I have seen that people have wanted to help me, and it has been easier for me to be able to give 100% for them. I feel like we are a family and I have worked every day to be a part of that. However, I have to keep this up next year too. Hopefully, next season we will be together and we will move up together.

Maximum committment

The first and most important thing is to help my teammates have great seasons and make our fans happy. The competition is tough and we will have to work hard in training for the coach to have confidence in me. I am going to give everything for this club, to take Valencia CF to where the club deserve to be.

The support of the fans

The fans and Mestalla have been fundamental for the team. The Valencia CF fans are amazing. Seeing Mestalla full for all the matches has impressed me a lot, above all, how they have supported us in the matches in which we had survival at stake.

Standout games in his first season

My best match was against Athletic Club at Mestalla. This game was my first time in the starting eleven. But, the most special was the one in Seville against Betis because we achieved our goal after some very difficult months.

Learning Spanish

It's not easy for me. But, before arriving in Spain, I was already interested in learning Spanish. That's why when I arrived I tried to learn faster. I work with a teacher and my teammates always speak Spanish to me instead of English. It has been a little easier to learn Spanish fast.

Looking for his first goal

I didn’t score this past season, but I have time to score one goal or more. Hopefully next year I can score a goal for the club and our fans.

Learning Valenciano

At the moment I can only say “Amunt Valencia!”

Becoming a full international

I'm waiting for the callup. It is also important to play for Turkey. We have two games to win and I am also going to give 100% for my country, but soon I will be back in Valencia.