In a notable development during the winter transfer window, Devin Ozyak, the sporting director of Turkish club Fenerbahçe, revealed the secret behind printing the number "1%" on the jersey of French star N'Golo Kanté during his official presentation as a new player for the team, following his transfer from Saudi club Al-Ittihad. This gesture sparked widespread questions among fans and the media before its touching humanitarian significance was explained.
Behind the scenes of the drama in the final moments
The transfer of the 2018 World Cup winner to the Turkish league was far from smooth sailing; the deal was fraught with drama that nearly derailed it. The Turkish club initially announced the failure to complete the transfer due to a procedural error by Al-Ittihad in entering the player's data into the Transfer Matching System (TMS). However, intensive administrative efforts proved successful, and Fenerbahçe officially announced the completion of the deal just hours after the initial setback, in a swap deal that saw Moroccan striker Youssef En-Nesyri move to the Saudi club.
The significance of 1%: A humanitarian message before sports
In statements reported by the Turkish newspaper Fanatik, Özık explained that the number on the jersey is not just a logo, but a symbol of a major charitable project. He said, "Kante will be a pioneer of our '1%' project, which aims to donate 1% of his salary to children with disabilities. We are not just adding a football player to our family; we are adding a human being with exceptional values.".
A remarkable career and a winning mentality
Kante's move to the Turkish league is a huge boost, given his illustrious career. The French star is known as the tireless "lung of midfield," and his name is etched in gold in the history of European football. From his remarkable Premier League title win with Leicester City, to his Champions League and Premier League triumphs with Chelsea, culminating in his World Cup victory with the French national team.
Expected impact on the Turkish league
The presence of a player of Kanté's caliber and experience is expected to intensify competition in the Turkish league and give Fenerbahçe significant strength in midfield, particularly in European competitions. The club's sporting director confirmed that the benefits will extend beyond technical aspects, encompassing the transfer of a winning mentality and accumulated experience to the team's dressing room, thus bolstering the club's ambitions to win domestic and continental titles.
