Senegal under-20 international Amidou Badji has taken the next step in his career after completing a move to Turkish second-tier side Bandırmaspor on a long-term contract.
The 20-year-old winger has signed his first professional deal, committing his future to the Trendyol 1. Lig club for three and a half years, as Turkey continues to position itself as a destination for emerging Senegalese talent.
Bandırmaspor confirmed the agreement in an official statement, underlining their confidence in the young forward’s potential.
“An agreement has been reached with the player and his club. We wish Amidou Badji much success in the Bandırmaspor jersey,” the club said.
Badji’s arrival follows a growing trend of Turkish clubs investing in youth from Senegal, with players such as Abdou Aziz Fall and Amadou Diouf also making similar moves in recent seasons.
The strategy reflects a broader belief that the country’s development system continues to produce technically gifted and physically strong players capable of adapting quickly to European football.
Having come through the ranks at Guédiawaye, Badji made his name at youth level with consistent performances that earned him recognition on the international stage.
He has represented Senegal at both under-17 and under-20 level, experiences that helped accelerate his progression and exposed him to competitive football beyond the domestic scene.
At Guédiawaye, he was noted for his pace and willingness to take on defenders, qualities that reportedly attracted the attention of Bandırmaspor’s recruitment team.
While the Turkish club did not disclose further details of the transfer, the length of the contract suggests a long-term plan built around the winger’s development rather than an immediate short-term return.
For Badji, the move marks a significant transition from youth football into the professional ranks.
The Trendyol 1. Lig is widely regarded as a demanding and competitive environment, often serving as a proving ground for young players seeking to establish themselves before stepping up to the Turkish top flight or moving elsewhere in Europe.
Bandırmaspor, meanwhile, see the signing as part of a broader effort to strengthen their squad with youthful energy and resale potential.
The club will hope that Badji’s international experience at youth level will ease his adaptation to a new country, culture and style of football.
As he begins this new chapter, expectations will be measured, but the move represents a milestone for a player eager to translate promise into sustained performance at senior level.
