Noah Sonko Sundberg: Gambia-Sweden defender joins Goztepe from Ludogorets in 500k deal

Gambia and Sweden centre-back Noah Sonko Sundberg has joined Turkish side Goztepe from Bulgarian champions Ludogorets in a permanent 500,000 transfer. The 30-year-old has signed a contract running until 30 June 2029 with the Super Lig club.

Sonko Sundberg, a right-footed central defender standing at 1.87m, moves to Izmir after a successful spell in Bulgaria, where he won the league title and the Bulgarian Super Cup with Ludogorets in the 2023-24 season. He initially arrived at the club from Levski Sofia in 2023, having helped Levski to the Bulgarian Cup in 2021-22.

The move to Goztepe follows consecutive loans from Ludogorets in recent years, including spells at Sivasspor in Turkeys top flight and Aris Saloniki in Greece. His previous time in the Super Lig with Sivasspor, where he also featured in the Turkish Cup, offered Goztepe a close look at his ability to adapt to Turkish football.

Before heading abroad, Sonko Sundberg built his reputation in Swedens Allsvenskan with AIK, GIF Sundsvall and Ostersund, making 178 league appearances and scoring 11 goals in the competition. That experience was complemented by European outings, including matches in Champions League qualifying, Europa League qualifying and the Europa Conference League.

Goztepe have secured a defender with extensive top-flight and European experience across Sweden, Bulgaria, Greece and Turkey, tying Sonko Sundberg down on a three-year deal following his 500,000 switch from Ludogorets.