Ismail Yuksek (born 26 January 1999) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Super Lig side Fenerbahce and the Turkey national team.
Yuksek began his youth career with hometown club Bursaspor and also played in youth level with Bursa Merinosspor, Yesil Bursa, Yildirim Belediyespor and Bursa Yildirimspor. He started his professional career with Golcukspor and played two successful season with them.
He signed 5 years contract with Fenerbahce on 2 May 2020.
On 5 October 2020, he joined Balikesirspor on loan.
He returned to Fenerbahce on 12 January 2021. Yuksek made his professional debut with Fenerbahce in a 3–1 Super Lig win over MKE Ankaragucu on 18 January 2021.
On 1 February 2021, he joined Adana Demirspor on loan in the TFF First League for the second half of the 2020–21 season.
He went on loan to Bursaspor for the 2021–22 season.
After return to Fenerbahce, he made a very strong start to the 2022–23 season with coach Jorge Jesus, made good use of his first 11 chances and called to the national team. On October 6, he was selected man of the match by supporters votes for his performance in the 2022–23 UEFA Europa League Group B third week AEK Larnaca match.
On 20 January 2023, Fenerbahce announced to sign new contract with him until May 2027.
In his second season as a starter in the team, he made his top performance with new coach and team's local legend Ismail Kartal, he consolidate his place with Fenerbahce and international team. He changed his shirt number from 80 to 5.
Yuksek made his international debut against Luxembourg on 22 September 2022, coming on as an 81st minute substitute and he scored his first goal six minutes later. He wasn't selected to the Turkey youth national teams and directly played for senior level.
On 12 October 2023, he has become the first player to record 15+ duels and 10+ possessions won in a single Euro 2024 qualifier game, winning 16 duels and recovering 12 possessions against Croatia. |
