Nathan Ake has left Manchester City to join Turkish side Fenerbahce in a deal worth up to £8.5m – a fraction of the £40m City paid Bournemouth for him five years ago. The Netherlands defender, 31, made just six Premier League starts last season and had one year remaining on his contract, making his departure inevitable after limited game time under Pep Guardiola in his final campaign.
The Turkish club paid around £7m up front, with the remainder tied to add-ons. Ake departs with a trophy cabinet that would be the envy of most footballers: four Premier League titles, two FA Cups, two League Cups and the Champions League. He also appeared three times for the Netherlands at the 2026 World Cup before their shock elimination by Morocco in the last 32.
“Fenerbahce sign Nathan Ake from Manchester City in a deal worth up to £8.5m.”
“It’s been a privilege to represent Manchester City over the past six years,” Ake said. “I’m so grateful to have been part of a special team. I’ve grown so much here – as a player and a person – and I’m thankful for the time I’ve had at the club. I’ll always cherish the memories, particularly of winning the Treble, being part of all four Premier League titles in a side that made history and triumphing in the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in my final season at the club. While I’m moving on, I’m very proud of everything we’ve achieved together and City will always be special to me.”
Ake joined City from Bournemouth in 2020 for £40m and made 177 appearances for the club. Last season he made only 17 starts across all competitions, with six of those in the Premier League. The writing was on the wall, and Fenerbahce moved quickly to secure a player who, though peripheral in his final year, remains a proven winner at the highest level.
What the move means for Guardiola's rebuild is unclear, but with Ake's wages off the books and a modest fee returned, City have effectively cut their losses. For Fenerbahce, they land a defender with Champions League pedigree – a statement of intent as they look to challenge domestically and in Europe.