New Wilfred Ndidi teammate who was “really hurt” by Nigeria rates first season in Turkey

Besiktas forward Junior Olaitan has given an assessment of his debut season in Turkey’s top-flight league, Soccernet.ng reports.

The versatile Benin Republic forward moved to Turkey for the first time last summer, joining Goztepe on a four-year contract after impressing at French Ligue 2 side Grenoble during the 2024-25 campaign.

Olaitan had spent just one season at Grenoble following previous spells with fellow French clubs Niort and Troyes. He then scored twice during the first half of the season for Goztepe, and his impressive performances quickly attracted interest from elsewhere in the Super Lig. 

His form earned him a move to Besiktas during the winter transfer window, where he has continued to shine, scoring twice and providing three assists to help the Black Eagles secure a fourth-place finish.

Junior Olaitan reflects on debut season in Turkey

Olaitan has enjoyed a rapid rise in his career, moving from the second division of French football to one of Turkey’s most prestigious clubs in just one year. At Besiktas, the 24-year-old is teammates with Super Eagles captain Wilfred Ndidi, and both players played their part as the club finished fourth in the league to secure European football.

However, the two could also have been international teammates, as Olaitan was formerly eligible to represent Nigeria, although he later expressed disappointment at being overlooked at youth level before eventually choosing to play for Benin Republic.

“Yes, I wanted to play for Nigeria at the U-17 level, but what I was told surprised me, and it really hurt me. In some sort of a proverb, the coach told me that some people are better players than I am off the pitch, but on the pitch, I'm a better player than they are, and I understood immediately”, Soccernet.ng previously reported.

Despite arriving in Turkey just last summer, Olaitan has adapted quickly and established himself as an important player. Speaking during an interview, the former Grenoble forward expressed satisfaction with his progress and praised the environment he has found at Besiktas.

“My first season with Besiktas has been very good”, he told R.org.

“I came in with a lot of new players in February and I am happy with everyone I’ve met here – the players, staff, management and the fans.

“We are still trying to rebuild the team because a lot of players left in January and I am still adapting to the system. Next season will be great and we will try to achieve a lot.”

Europe’s top five league ambitions

Olaitan has enjoyed a very impressive trajectory in his career and the 24-year-old believes there is still plenty more to achieve and has his eyes firmly set on playing in one of Europe's top five leagues.

“I can say I’m at the peak of my career but not 100 percent because my dream is to play in the top five leagues in Europe”, he added.

“I’m just 24 and I’m still trying to understand football more and I’m not panicking because I know with my consistency, I will achieve my dreams one day.”

Given his age and the rapid progress he has made in recent years in his career, Olaitan is in a good position to realize that ambition if he maintains his form in Turkey.