Cameroon striker Vincent Aboubakar has officially ended his contract with Turkish club Hatayspor after a difficult season that saw the team relegated from the Süper Lig.
The 33-year-old, who joined Hatayspor in the summer of 2023 following his departure from Beşiktaş, made 28 league appearances for the club, scoring eight goals and providing two assists.
Despite his contributions, the club, based in the southern city of Antakya, failed to retain their top-flight status after a turbulent campaign.
Aboubakar’s exit was confirmed by multiple reports in both the Turkish and Cameroonian press on Friday, bringing to a close a short but eventful stint at the club.
Nicknamed “Abouchouchou” in his home country, the forward took on the challenge of leading a struggling Hatayspor side despite having previously competed for European qualification with Beşiktaş.
His arrival was seen as a major coup for the club, but his individual efforts were not enough to steer them clear of the drop zone.
This marks the second consecutive year in which Aboubakar has terminated a contract in Turkey, having also parted ways with Beşiktaş at the end of the 2022–2023 season. He signed a one-year deal with Hatayspor shortly after, hoping to revitalize his career with more regular game time.
With his Hatayspor chapter now closed, attention has turned to Aboubakar’s next move. According to local media reports, the veteran forward is expected to remain in Turkey and is on the verge of joining Kocaelispor—the recently crowned champions of the 1. Lig, Turkey’s second-tier division.
Kocaelispor’s promotion back to the Süper Lig has opened the door for the club to reinforce its attack with proven top-flight experience. Talks between Aboubakar’s camp and the club have reportedly intensified, and a deal could be finalized in the coming days.
The potential switch would see the former FC Porto and Al-Nassr striker continue his career in Turkey with a third different club. Kocaelispor would become the seventh European club of Aboubakar’s career, having previously played for Valenciennes and Lorient in France, as well as Porto in Portugal.
Aboubakar, who has earned 104 caps and scored 40 goals for the Cameroon national team, remains one of Africa’s most experienced and recognisable forwards. He famously helped Cameroon win the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations and has featured at multiple World Cups.
As Kocaelispor prepare for their return to the top flight, the signing of a high-profile forward like Aboubakar could provide the experience and firepower needed to ensure survival in the 2025–26 Süper Lig season.
