Super Eagles defender Bright Osayi-Samuel is set to reach a significant career milestone today as he prepares to make his 100th appearance for Fenerbahçe.
Currently sitting third in the Süper Lig table, the José Mourinho-led team will host sixth-placed Sivasspor at the Şükrü Saracoğlu Stadium on Sunday.
Having joined the Turkish giants in January 2021 on a four-year deal after completing his contract with Queens Park Rangers (QPR), the 26-year-old has made 99 appearances for the club since his debut in a 1-0 victory over Çaykur Rizespor.
An overview of Osayi-Samuel's time at Fenerbahçe
Osayi-Samuel’s time at Fenerbahçe has been marked by dynamic performances, key contributions, and moments of both brilliance and controversy.
He wasted no time in making an impact. He scored his first goal for the club on 8 March 2021 in a 3–0 away victory against Konyaspor in the Süper Lig.
His continental debut came on 19 August 2021 in a 1–0 win against HJK Helsinki in the UEFA Europa League qualifying round.
He has scored six league goals and a total of seven goals in official matches for Fenerbahçe, while also registering 14 assists, 8 of which came in the Super Lig.
However, his time at Fenerbahçe has not been without its challenges. A report by Turkish outlet Fanatik highlights his disciplinary record, with the 26-year-old having accumulated 30 yellow cards and 1 red card over his time at the club.
The red card, which came during the 2023–24 season in a UEFA Europa League match against Union Saint-Gilloise, was the result of a second yellow card in the final minutes of the game, after coming on as a substitute in the 65th minute.
In mid-March 2024, he became embroiled in controversy after he and several teammates were involved in a post-match altercation with a pitch invader.
This incident prompted disciplinary proceedings from the league administration; however, he was ultimately cleared of any wrongdoing.
If Mourinho selects him for the game against Sivasspor, he will mark his 100th appearance in the league and his 11th official match of the 2024-2025 season.
So far this season, Osayi-Samuel has featured in four matches in the Super Lig, three in the UEFA Europa League, and three in the UEFA Champions League qualifiers. Across the 10 matches he has played, he has accumulated a total of 679 minutes on the pitch.
With his current contract set to expire in June 2025, both the club and the player are at an impasse in contract renewal negotiations. Meanwhile, several clubs, including Aston Villa, Marseille, Everton, Fulham, and Crystal Palace, have been heavily linked with the player.
