Official | ‘Stuttgart Scion’ Efe Korkut (19) embarks on Basque adventure

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Former Stuttgart head coach Tayfun Korkut’s son Efe Korkut is off to pursue an ambitious footballing adventure in the Basque country with Athletic Club. The 19-year-old is eligible to represent Bilbao professionally due to the fact that he was born in San Sebastian. Stuttgart placed no obstacles in their reserve player’s way and collected a modest transfer fee (€500,000 according to Kicker) ahead of his move to the Athletic B squad. 

Efe Korkut recently lost his starting place with VfB II

Efe – who has also represented Turkey internationally – began the 3. Liga as a regular starter under head coach Nico Willig. The youngster frequently started alongside VfB prospect Mirza Catovic; whom Stuttgart have fought very hard to retain. Unfortunately, Efe’s development didn’t run parallel with Catovic’s trajectory. After starting in nine of the team’s first 3. Liga games, Efe hasn’t featured as a starter since November 1st. 

Statements on Efe Korkut’s move

“He was one of those talents who was particularly creative and understood the game,” VfB academy director Stephan Hildebrandt noted in a club statement. “Efe has now decided to leave VfB and take on a new challenge at an ambitious club in his mother’s home country.”

“I look back fondly on my three-and-a half years at VfB and the experiences I had there,” Korkut noted in his own parting statement. “The appearances in the third division have helped me develop not only athletically, but also personally.

“I would like to thank everyone who believed in me and made this possible,” Korkut continued. “Now I have a new, big challenge ahead of me, which I am approaching with confidence.”

GGFN | Peter Weis