SC Freiburg have this morning confirmed the signing of 20-year-old centre-back Çaglar Söyüncü from Turkish second division side FC Altinordu Izmir.

Details of the length of the contract, or fee agreed have not been disclosed.

Söyüncü and SC Freiburg

The move means Söyüncü will play Bundesliga football in 2016/17 after Freiburg were promoted as champions from the 2. Bundesliga this season.

Despite being promoted as champions and having the best attacking record in the league, Freiburg often showed that they were slightly lacking defensively.

The signing of Söyüncü will offer competition to the likes of Marc-Oliver Kempf, Marc Torrejon, Immanuel Höhn and another recent signing, Manuel Gulde, who signed a couple of weeks ago from Karslruher SC.

At just 20 years of age, Söyüncü has the vast majority of his career ahead of him and has years to develop and improve his game.

This, coupled with his raw potential, was one of the main factors in bringing him to the club, says Klemens Hartenbach: "Çağlar is a young, very talented central defender. His ball-winning ability and dynamics have particularly impressed us."

He added, "We firmly believe that he will be able to help our defence relatively quickly with his potential."

Freiburg's new arrival in action for Turkey. | Image: altinordu.org.tr
Freiburg's new arrival in action for Turkey. | Image: altinordu.org.tr

International stage

Söyüncü played 30 games for Altinordu over the course of the 2015/16 season and, after progressing through from the Turkish U18 side to the U21 side, he made his senior international debut this year.

After completing his transfer, Söyüncü spoke of his decision to come to southern Germany and link up with SC Freiburg. He said: "The city, the structure of the club and the positive impression that the coach has left with me were the decisive factors in my decision."

The defender concluded, "I will do everything in my power for the club to succeed. I can not wait to meet the fans."

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