Gaël Kakuta’s stint at Turkish second-division club Sakaryaspor has taken a difficult turn, with the Congolese international absent since March due to a mix of injury, administrative complications, and ongoing silence surrounding his status.
The 33-year-old midfielder has not appeared for the club since March 31, 2025, sparking concern among Sakaryaspor fans and officials.
Initially sidelined with an injury, Kakuta was expected to return to action within three weeks. Instead, his continued absence has raised serious questions.
It has since emerged that Kakuta returned to France for medical treatment during his recovery. While there, he reportedly had his passport stolen from his car, making it impossible for him to travel back to Turkey. The loss of this critical document led to delays in rejoining his club, as he was forced to begin the process of applying for a new passport.
To date, Kakuta has not made a single official appearance for Sakaryaspor since joining the club. His absence has left the team without a key figure who was expected to add experience and creativity in midfield.
The club continues its campaign without the services of one of its most high-profile signings.
Compounding the issue is a lack of communication. There has been minimal official comment from Kakuta himself or his representatives, leaving supporters and club management in the dark.
His continued silence, coupled with his absence from training and matchday squads, has only deepened the sense of uncertainty.
For Kakuta, this episode adds another chapter to a career marked by unfulfilled promise. Once heralded as one of Chelsea’s brightest young prospects, the midfielder has played for over a dozen clubs across Europe and beyond, but has struggled to find consistent form or stability.
Spells in England, Spain, France, China, and the Netherlands were punctuated by brief flashes of brilliance but often fell short of expectations.
At this stage in his career, the problems in Turkey may signal a downward shift. With Sakaryaspor pushing forward without him and interest in his services waning, questions are being raised over whether Kakuta can re-establish himself professionally.
While a return to the squad remains theoretically possible if his passport issues are resolved, his fitness and commitment remain in doubt.
Kakuta, who represented DR Congo at international level after switching from France, has become emblematic of the kind of talent whose career has been shaped as much by off-pitch complications as by ability.
As the season nears its end, both player and club face difficult decisions.
Unless there is a dramatic turnaround, Gaël Kakuta’s time at Sakaryaspor may be remembered less for what he contributed and more for what never materialised.
