Cengiz Ünder Bio
Cengiz Ünder is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a winger or forward. He is contracted to Fenerbahçe of the Süper Lig and is currently on a season-long loan at Beşiktaş, also of the Süper Lig. The winger also represents the Turkey national team and has featured for several major European clubs across Italy, England, France, and the United States.
Born in 1997, Ünder rose through the Turkish football system before breaking out at Başakşehir and earning a high-profile move to Serie A side Roma. Over the course of his career, he has built a reputation for sharp dribbling, creative passing, and the ability to score from wide positions.
Early Life and Background
Cengiz Ünder was born on 14 July 1997 in Sındırgı, a district in the province of Balıkesir, Turkey. Growing up in western Turkey, he developed an early interest in football and joined local youth setups that focused on technical development. His formative years in the Turkish football pyramid shaped the attacking instincts that later defined his professional career.
Ünder entered organized football at Altınordu, a club widely recognized in Turkey for its strong academy and player-development model. At Altınordu, he trained in a structured environment designed to prepare young players for senior football. His progression through the ranks at the Izmir-based club marked the start of his professional journey.
Path to Soccer
Ünder began his senior career at Altınordu between 2014 and 2016, where he gained first-team experience in the lower divisions of Turkish football. His performances attracted attention from larger Süper Lig clubs, and in 2016 he completed a transfer to Başakşehir for a reported fee of €700,000.
At Başakşehir, Ünder enjoyed a breakout 2016–17 campaign. Operating as a winger, he scored seven goals in 32 league matches during his debut Süper Lig season, establishing himself as one of the most exciting young attackers in the country. His form at Başakşehir drew the attention of top European clubs, and in the summer of 2017 he secured a major move to Italy.
Cengiz Ünder Career
Early Career (2014–2017)
Between 2014 and 2016, Ünder developed as a first-team player at Altınordu, learning the demands of senior football in Turkey’s lower professional tiers. The experience gave him regular playing time and helped him refine his game before stepping up to the top flight.
His transfer to Başakşehir in 2016 marked his entry into the Süper Lig. In his single full season with the Istanbul-based club, Ünder delivered seven goals and several assists, showcasing the speed, footwork, and finishing that would soon attract clubs across Europe. That campaign set the stage for his move to one of Italy’s most storied football institutions.
Roma Breakthrough (2017–2022)
On 16 July 2017, Ünder joined Serie A club Roma for a reported fee of €13.4 million. He quickly adapted to Italian football and scored his first goal for the club in a 1–0 win over Hellas Verona on 4 February 2018. Later that month, he marked his Champions League debut with a goal, opening the scoring in a 2–1 loss to Shakhtar Donetsk in the first leg of the knockout round. That strike made him the youngest Turkish player ever to score in the Champions League.
In his first season with Roma, Ünder recorded seven goals and one assist across 26 league appearances, along with one goal in five Champions League matches. On 2 October 2018, he scored and assisted in a 5–0 Champions League group-stage win over Viktoria Plzen, further highlighting his growing influence on the European stage. He remained a Roma player until 2022, though his final seasons included loan spells away from the Italian capital.
Leicester City and Marseille (2020–2023)
On 20 September 2020, Ünder signed for Premier League club Leicester City on a season-long loan with an option for a permanent transfer. He made his debut as a substitute in a 3–0 defeat to West Ham United, and later that autumn provided the assist for Jamie Vardy’s winning goal in a 1–0 away victory over Arsenal, a result that ended Leicester’s 47-year wait for a win at Arsenal. On 10 December 2020, he scored his first Leicester goal in a 2–0 home win over AEK Athens in the UEFA Europa League.
On 4 July 2021, Ünder moved to Ligue 1 side Marseille on loan with an option to buy, making his debut against Montpellier on 8 August 2021. On 6 April 2022, Marseille exercised the option and signed him permanently from Roma on a five-year contract, committing to his long-term future in France.
Fenerbahçe and Los Angeles FC Era (2023–Present)
On 13 August 2023, Ünder signed a four-year contract with Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe for a reported fee of €15 million. He debuted three days later in a 2–0 away win over Samsunspor and scored his first Fenerbahçe goal against Kayserispor on 20 December 2023. On 7 January 2024, after a slow start, he netted four goals in a 5–1 victory over Istanbulspor, signaling a return to form.
On 20 February 2025, Ünder joined Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on loan until the end of the MLS season. He made his LAFC debut on 12 March with an assist against Columbus Crew in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and scored his first LAFC goal on 29 March in a 3–2 loss to San Diego FC. On 8 September 2025, he moved on a season-long loan with an option to buy to Süper Lig club Beşiktaş.
Driving Style and Strengths
Ünder is known for his acceleration, close-ball control, and ability to cut in from wide positions to shoot with his stronger foot. He combines creative passing with direct dribbling, often operating as an inverted winger who links play between midfield and attack. Throughout his career, his tactical flexibility has allowed him to feature on either flank or as a supporting forward.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among his standout career moments, Ünder became the youngest Turkish player to score in the UEFA Champions League while at Roma in February 2018. He later helped Leicester City end a 47-year winless run at Arsenal and produced a four-goal performance in a 5–1 win for Fenerbahçe over Istanbulspor in January 2024. His move to LAFC in 2025 also marked him as one of the prominent Turkish players to feature in Major League Soccer.
Cengiz Ünder Career Wins
Across his career, Ünder has accumulated notable individual and club milestones, including league goals in Turkey, Italy, England, France, and the United States, as well as European goals in the Champions League and Europa League. While full verified totals across all competitions are not consolidated in the available records, his scoring contributions at Roma, Başakşehir, Fenerbahçe, Marseille, and LAFC are clearly documented.
Süper Lig Highlights
At Başakşehir, Ünder finished his debut Süper Lig season with seven goals in 32 matches. He later added further Süper Lig goals at Fenerbahçe, including a four-goal performance against Istanbulspor on 7 January 2024.
Serie A and European Highlights
During his time at Roma, Ünder scored seven goals in his first Serie A season and added a Champions League goal against Shakhtar Donetsk. He also contributed a goal and an assist in a 5–0 Champions League win over Viktoria Plzen in October 2018.
Other Wins and Performances
At Leicester City, Ünder recorded his first goal for the club in a 2–0 Europa League win over AEK Athens and played a role in the historic victory at Arsenal. With LAFC, he registered his first goal for the club on 29 March 2025 in a narrow loss to San Diego FC.
Cengiz Ünder Family
Family Background and Racing Lineage
Publicly verified details about Cengiz Ünder’s immediate family are limited in available sources.
Personal Life
Verified personal-life details, including marital status and children, are not publicly documented in the available records.
2025 Season Performance
In 2025, Ünder began the year at Fenerbahçe before moving on loan to Major League Soccer side Los Angeles FC on 20 February. He made his LAFC debut on 12 March with an assist against Columbus Crew in the CONCACAF Champions Cup, and scored his first LAFC goal on 29 March in a 3–2 loss to San Diego FC. His performances in the United States offered him a fresh platform after a mixed opening chapter at Fenerbahçe.
Following his spell in MLS, Ünder joined Süper Lig club Beşiktaş on a season-long loan with an option to buy on 8 September 2025. The move returned him to top-flight Turkish football midway through the season, where he is expected to compete for a regular attacking role.
Looking across the full 2025 calendar, Ünder has featured in three different competitions across two countries, contributing goals and assists while adapting to varied tactical systems. His ability to adjust quickly to new environments remains a defining trait of his 2025 campaign.