Celik: “Roma is one of the best clubs in the world. I’m proud to be here.” | OneFootball

Roma fullback Zeki Celik discussed his career in a long interview with Anadolu Ajansı’s YouTube channel.

“I’ve been playing soccer since I was a child, always on the streets. I come from a large family. I have seven older brothers, and we played soccer together. Since I was the youngest, they let me do pretty much whatever I wanted. They couldn’t keep up with me, but I went to training every day alone.”

“I had set myself the goal of becoming a soccer player. While I was in school, the coaches of the local team approached me and asked if I wanted to join their youth academy. So I started playing for Yavuz Selimspor. Then Bursaspor signed me, and then I went to Bursa Nilüferspor, and then Istanbulspor.”

“From there, my career began to take shape. I played against Belgium, and the Belgian scouts came to watch another player. I started the match at right back and then moved to left. They asked me, “Who is this player?” They wanted to watch me, and I didn’t even know who Luis Campos was at the time.”

“At the end of the season, he was very insistent and wanted me, and I went to Lille. Going to Lille was a fundamental step for me; it opened the doors to Europe.”

“It was one of the most critical moments of my career. After arriving at Lille, my goals became much bigger. At the end of the season, Mourinho told me he really wanted me, we got in touch, and then I joined Roma. I think they’re one of the best and strongest teams in the world, and I’m really proud to be here.”