Cheikhou Kouyaté’s brief spell in Turkish football has come to an end just five months after it began, with the former Senegal captain parting ways with second-tier leaders Amedspor by mutual consent.
The Turkish club confirmed on Tuesday that the 36-year-old midfielder is no longer part of their squad, officially terminating a contract that was signed in September 2025.
The decision brings an early close to a partnership that was intended to add experience and leadership to a side pushing for promotion.
Kouyaté arrived in Turkey as a high-profile reinforcement, carrying the status of a 2021 Africa Cup of Nations winner and one of the most recognisable figures in Senegalese football.
However, his time on the pitch proved limited.
During his short stay, he made just nine appearances in all competitions, eight of them in the league, failing to establish himself as a regular starter despite Amedspor’s strong domestic form.
The midfielder had been recruited after a spell without a club, with the move seen as an opportunity to relaunch his career in a competitive environment.
While his individual impact remained modest, Amedspor’s season has not suffered.
The club currently sits at the top of the Trendyol 1. Lig standings, underlining that the separation comes despite, rather than because of, their on-field success.
According to reports from Wiw Sport, the outcome had been expected for several days before being formally announced.
Discussions between the two parties reportedly pointed towards an amicable resolution, culminating in the mutual termination of the contract.
Kouyaté’s departure places him back on the market as a free agent.
Over the course of his career, he built a strong reputation in England, spending the majority of his playing years in the Premier League.
Kulübümüz, profesyonel futbolcumuz Cheikhou Kouyate ile karşılıklı anlaşarak sözleşmesini sona erdirmiştir.
Cheikhou Kouyate’nin kulübümüze verdiği emekler için teşekkür ediyor, kariyerinin bundan sonraki döneminde başarılar diliyoruz. pic.twitter.com/D7VDGiaoGe
— Amedspor (@amedskofficial) January 27, 2026
His spells with West Ham United, Crystal Palace and Nottingham Forest saw him valued for his physical presence, tactical intelligence and versatility in midfield and defence.
At international level, he remains a respected figure, having captained Senegal and played a key role in the country’s historic Africa Cup of Nations triumph in 2021.
The end of his Turkish chapter raises questions about his next move, as he considers whether to seek another club challenge or bring an illustrious career towards its conclusion.
For Amedspor, attention now turns back to maintaining their promotion push, while Kouyaté’s short-lived Turkish adventure becomes another transitional moment in a career that has largely been defined by consistency at the highest level.
