A £27 million transfer fee secured Cenk Tosun a move to Everton in January 2018, marking a significant milestone in a career that spanned clubs in Germany and Turkey. Born in Wetzlar in 1991, the striker emerged from the Eintracht Frankfurt youth system before establishing his professional reputation within the Turkish Süper Lig across multiple stints at Beşiktaş.
Early Career and Gaziantepspor
Tosun began his development with Eintracht Frankfurt in Germany, making his sole Bundesliga appearance as a substitute on 8 May 2010 against VfL Wolfsburg. In January 2011, he moved to Gaziantepspor for a €400,000 fee. He made an immediate impact, scoring 10 goals during his debut league season. His tenure there included a victory in the 2012 Spor Toto Cup, where he contributed two goals in a 3-1 win over Orduspor.
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In February 2014, Beşiktaş signed Tosun on a five-year contract. After initially serving as a substitute behind teammates like Demba Ba and Mario Gómez, he became a regular fixture by the 2016-17 season, scoring 24 goals as the club secured the Süper Lig title. His performance during the 2017-18 UEFA Champions League group stage included two goals in a 2-1 victory against Monaco. He returned to the club for a second stint in 2021 and a third in 2022, scoring 15 league goals during the 2022-23 campaign.
International Competition
Tosun represented Germany at various youth levels, including appearances for the under-21 squad. He later switched his international allegiance to Turkey, debuting for the senior side on 15 October 2013 in a match against the Netherlands. He participated in UEFA Euro 2016 and Euro 2024. His international scoring record includes five goals during the qualification rounds for the 2018 FIFA World Cup.
Recent Club Movements
Following his release from Everton, Tosun moved between several Turkish clubs. He signed a two-year contract with Fenerbahçe in July 2024 before moving to Kasımpaşa in January 2026. His career continued with a transfer to Fatih Karagümrük in July 2026.
Fast facts
- Born: 1991, Wetzlar
- Citizenship: Turkey, Germany
- Professional debut: 8 May 2010
- Beşiktaş league title: 2016-17
- Everton transfer fee: £27 million
- International debut: 15 October 2013
- Tournament participation: UEFA Euro 2016, Euro 2024
Questions readers ask
Which international teams has Tosun played for?
He played for German youth representative teams before switching his allegiance to the Turkish Football Federation.
How many times did Tosun return to Beşiktaş?
He played for Beşiktaş during three distinct periods, starting in 2014, returning on loan in 2021, and signing a permanent deal in 2022.