Franculino joins Trabzonspor after prolific Midtjylland campaign

Guinea-Bissau and Portuguese forward Franculino has joined Trabzonspor from Danish champions Midtjylland, completing a move to the Turkish Super Lig club on 2 September 2026.

The 22-year-old centre-forward arrives after finishing the 2025-26 season as the Danish Superliga’s leading scorer, with 17 goals for Midtjylland. He also helped the club win the Danish Cup and claim the league title, adding to a UEFA Youth League winners’ medal he earned with Benfica’s youth side in 2021-22.

Franculino has made an immediate contribution in European qualifying this season, scoring twice and providing two assists in four UEFA Conference League qualifying appearances. He also featured twice in Europa League qualifying and has scored once in four Superliga matches.

Born in Bissau, Franculino stands 1.86 metres tall and operates primarily as a centre-forward. He is left-footed and joins Trabzonspor with a recent record that includes 11 goals in the 2023-24 Danish league campaign, when he helped Midtjylland to the championship.

The move brings an end to his spell in Denmark, which began when he left Benfica Under-23s for Midtjylland on a free transfer in July 2023. Franculino had previously progressed through Benfica’s Under-17 and Under-19 teams before moving into senior football.

His honours at club level include the Danish title, the Danish Cup and the UEFA Youth League. He was also the top scorer in the 2022-23 Torneio Abertura Liga Revelacao U23 competition, finishing that tournament with six goals.

Trabzonspor play in Turkey’s top flight, and Franculino joins the club after establishing himself as one of Midtjylland’s principal attacking players. His current market value is €22m, reflecting the standing he has built since moving into senior football.

Franculino’s transfer to Trabzonspor was completed on 2 September 2026.