Galatasaray Signs Deniz Gul from Porto: A Major Transfer Move

The private jet touched down at Ataturk Airport on 1 September and the message from Galatasaray was clear: this signing mattered.

Deniz Gul, the 22-year-old Turkish international striker, stepped out to a wall of noise, greeted by club officials and a crowd of supporters who had waited deep into the night to welcome their new No 9-in-waiting. He didn’t just wave. He grabbed the megaphone and led a classic Galatasaray chant himself before heading off for medical checks.

A statement signing, and timed to perfection – just before the transfer deadline.

The deal: big fee, bigger bet

Galatasaray confirmed to the Public Disclosure Platform (KAP) that they have reached agreement with FC Porto on a total transfer fee of 10 million euros. Porto have protected their upside too, securing a 10% share of any future profit should Gul move on from Istanbul.

Gul has signed a five-year contract starting from the 2026-27 season. He will earn a guaranteed net annual salary of 1.5 million euros, a clear sign of the club’s belief that he is not just one for tomorrow, but for right now.

All medical examinations were completed without delay, the paperwork followed, and the forward is now cleared to join first-team training immediately.

“I’m here now and I’m focused”

The young striker did not hide his emotions as he began his Galatasaray chapter.

"I'm very happy. I'm very excited," Gul said on arrival. "I want to meet the team and our fans as soon as possible. The important thing for me right now is to be here. I'm here now and I'm focused on this."

The reigning Turkish champions wanted a forward who could grow with the squad and handle the demands of a title defence and European football. Gul, with his mix of physical presence and experience at Porto, fits that brief.

From Stockholm streets to RAMS Park

Born and raised in Stockholm to a Turkish father and Swedish mother, Gul climbed through Sweden’s youth ranks before making his name at Hammarby IF. His scoring form there earned him a move to FC Porto in August 2024 on a contract running until 2029, a switch that fast-tracked him into top-level European football.

On the international stage, his story took a decisive turn in November 2024. After representing Sweden at Under-19 level, Gul chose to commit his senior future to Turkey. Vincenzo Montella rewarded that decision with a call-up for UEFA Nations League fixtures in March 2025, handing the forward his first taste of the senior national team environment.

Now, at 22, he comes into Turkish football not as a prospect from afar, but as a young international with Champions League-level training and expectations behind him.

Galatasaray’s new weapon

For Galatasaray, the timing is ideal. With a domestic crown to defend and European nights on the horizon, depth in the forward line is no luxury – it is a necessity.

Gul’s arrival bolsters the attacking rotation, giving the coaching staff a striker who can press, run channels and battle physically with centre-backs, while still carrying the promise of development. He will integrate straight into first-team sessions at RAMS Park, fighting for minutes from day one.

The club sees him as more than cover. The plan is for him to push, to compete, to force his way into the core of the side over the course of the 2026-27 campaign.

Now the jet has landed, the contract is signed and the chants have already started. The next step is simple and unforgiving: earn that debut, score that first goal, and prove that 10 million euros was the start of something, not the peak.