A Reliable Defender Moves On
Nathan Ake is leaving Manchester City to sign for Turkish side Fenerbahce, bringing an end to his seven-year spell at the Etihad. The Dutch defender joined from Bournemouth for £41m in the summer of 2020 and went on to make 177 appearances, winning 12 major trophies along the way.
The move was confirmed in unusual fashion. Fenerbahce announced the signing on their official X account, catching City by surprise. At the time, City’s stance was that positive negotiations were ongoing, with the club hoping to sell Ake for £7m plus £1.5m in add-ons.
Fabrizio Romano later confirmed the deal was done. Ake, it seems, wanted a fresh challenge after his successful stint at City. Personal terms have already been agreed.
Ake’s departure leaves a hole in Enzo Maresca’s squad. The emergence of Abdukodir Khusanov and Vitor Reis had limited his opportunities for regular game time next season, but that doesn’t diminish what he brought to the club.
He was a model professional who never let his team down.
During his time at City, Ake was a consistent performer whether deployed at centre-back or left-back. He was a key figure in the treble-winning 2022-23 season, providing defensive solidity at left-back during that historic run. His performances typified his entire City career: rock-solid, reliable, and unflappable.
There was a late reminder of his quality in last season’s Carabao Cup final, a 2-0 win over Arsenal. Ake started at Wembley and was superb at the back, despite being a bit-part player for much of the campaign. It was another example of his ability to step up when it mattered most.
Ake leaves City as Mr Consistent. Finding squad members of his ilk is no easy task. Replacing what he brought — his class, his professionalism, his talent — won’t be simple. That alone speaks volumes.