Naci Ünüvar (born 13 June 2003) is a professional footballer who plays as a winger or an attacking midfielder for La Liga club Espanyol, on loan from Ajax.[2] Born in the Netherlands, he is a youth international for Turkey. He was included in The Guardian's "Next Generation 2020".[3]

Naci Ünüvar
Personal information
Full name Naci Ünüvar[1]
Date of birth (2003-06-13) 13 June 2003 (age 21)
Place of birth Zaandam, Netherlands
Height 1.68 m (5 ft 6 in)
Position(s) Winger, attacking midfielder
Team information
Current team
Espanyol
(on loan from Ajax)
Number 37
Youth career
0000–2011 OFC
2011–2020 Ajax
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
2019– Jong Ajax 73 (24)
2020– Ajax 0 (0)
2022–2023Trabzonspor (loan) 8 (1)
2023–2024Twente (loan) 19 (3)
2024–Espanyol (loan) 1 (0)
International career
2017–2018 Netherlands U15 6 (0)
2018 Netherlands U16 2 (0)
2019 Netherlands U17 17 (5)
2019 Netherlands U18 3 (2)
2021 Netherlands U19 5 (2)
2023– Turkey U21 1 (0)
Medal record
Representing  Netherlands
UEFA European Under-17 Championship
Winner 2019 U-17 Team
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 26 September 2024
‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 27 March 2023

Club career

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On 22 January 2020, Ünüvar played his first match with Ajax in the 2019–20 KNVB Cup, when he scored a penalty in a 7–0 win over Spakenburg. Hence, he became the youngest player to score during his official debut for Ajax, at age 16 years, 223 days.[4]

On 30 August 2022, Ünüvar was loaned by Ajax to Trabzonspor in Turkey for the 2022–23 season.[5] On 29 August 2024, after another loan spell at Twente, he moved to La Liga side Espanyol also in a temporary deal.[6]

International career

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Born in the Netherlands, Ünüvar is of Turkish descent. He is a former youth international for the Netherlands.[7]

In 2023, Ünüvar decided to represent the home country of his parents, Turkey, at international level.

Personal life

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Naci is the brother of Emre Ünüvar, who is also a professional footballer.[8]

Career statistics

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As of 16 December 2023[9]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
Club Season League National Cup[a] Europe Other Total
Division Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
Jong Ajax 2019–20 Eerste Divisie 10 1 10 1
2020–21 Eerste Divisie 29 7 29 7
2021–22 Eerste Divisie 33 16 33 16
2022–23 Eerste Divisie 1 0 1 0
Total 73 24 73 24
Ajax 2019–20 Eredivisie 0 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 2 1
2021–22 Eredivisie 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 2 0
Trabzonspor (loan) 2022–23 Süper Lig 8 1 2 2 2[b] 0 12 2
FC Twente (loan) 2023–24 Eredivisie 5 1 0 0 6 1 11 2
Career total 86 25 5 3 8 1 1 0 100 29
  1. ^ Includes KNVB Cup and Turkish Cup
  2. ^ Appearances in the Europa League

Honours

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Netherlands U17

Individual

References

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  1. ^ "FIFA U-17 World Cup Brazil 2019: List of Players: Netherlands" (PDF). FIFA. 31 October 2019. p. 16. Archived from the original (PDF) on 27 December 2019.
  2. ^ "Naci Ünüvar op huurbasis naar Twente". De Telegraaf. 24 June 2023.
  3. ^ "Next Generation 2020: 60 of the best young talents in world football". The Guardian. 8 October 2020. Retrieved 9 October 2020.
  4. ^ "Zidane-Vergleiche und designierte Ziyech-Nachfolge: Das ist Ajax-Juwel Naci Ünüvar". Goal.com (in German). 3 September 2020.
  5. ^ "Naci Ünüvar op huurbasis naar Trabzonspor" (in Dutch). Ajax. 30 August 2022. Retrieved 30 August 2022.
  6. ^ "Naci Ünüvar, nou jugador del RCD Espanyol" [Naci Ünüvar, new player of RCD Espanyol] (in Catalan). RCD Espanyol. 29 August 2024. Retrieved 29 August 2024.
  7. ^ "Naci Ünüvar 2022'ye kadar Ajax'ta". www.trtspor.com.tr.
  8. ^ "Emre Ünüvar stelt zichzelf voor: 'Ik ben snel en scoor makkelijk doelpunten'". Ajax Showtime. 26 March 2024.
  9. ^ Naci Ünüvar at Soccerway. Retrieved 16 December 2023.
  10. ^ "Netherlands retain #U17EURO title: at a glance". UEFA.com. 19 May 2019.
  11. ^ "Ünüvar (14) bezorgt Ajax Onder-17 prestigieuze Future Cup". vi.nl (in Dutch). Voetbal International. 2 April 2018.
  12. ^ "Naci Ünüvar wint Abdelhak Nouri Trofee voor grootste talent in jeugdopleiding Ajax". AD.nl (in Dutch). 28 May 2019. Retrieved 24 February 2024.