Samet Akaydin

Samet Akaydin stands out as Çaykur Rizespor’s Platinum Wall at the back. The Trabzon-born centre-back brings the authority of a six-trophy career, including a TFF 1. Lig title and cup wins in both Türkiye and Greece, anchoring any back line with leadership and a commanding 1.90m frame.

With 18 appearances and 1615 minutes, he has been the main card in 15 matches, underlining his status as a nailed-on starter. An overall rating of 90 and season ability of 71 point to a defender operating at a consistently high level, while his form is on an upward trajectory, capped by a goal in his last five outings. His standout Shooting dimension adds a genuine set-piece threat, turning him from pure stopper into late-box finisher when the pressure rises. The INTERCEPTOR badge, fuelled by 2.4 interceptions per 90, reflects sharp reading of the game, while the ENFORCER loadout and dominant duel numbers show he relishes physical battles. Layered on top, the SHIELD trait and strong blocking output place a protective screen in front of his goalkeeper.

With a market value around €1M and trending down, Akaydin profiles as a savvy, value-for-money option. His decorated background and rising form make him an attractive proposition for clubs seeking a proven defensive leader who can handle crunch matches without inflating the wage bill.