“When the offer came from Beşiktaş, my dream came true”
New signing İlhan Fakılı shared his first impressions and ambitions during Beşiktaş’s training camp in Slovakia, speaking openly about what the transfer means to him, his footballing identity and his goals for the future.
For Fakılı, wearing the black-and-white shirt is more than a simple career move; it is the fulfillment of a long‑standing dream.
“This is a huge step for me,” he said. “I am fully aware that I’ve joined a very big club. As soon as the offer arrived from Beşiktaş, it felt like my dreams were turning into reality. Playing for a team of this size was one of the biggest targets of my career, and now I’m here, I want to make the most of it.”
“Neymar is my idol”
Describing himself as an attack‑minded player, Fakılı pointed to Brazilian star Neymar as the footballer he has most looked up to.
“Neymar has always been my idol,” he explained. “In terms of style, I really enjoy carrying the ball, going into one‑on‑one situations and, of course, scoring goals. That’s what excites me out on the pitch. I love taking responsibility in the final third, trying to create something, beating my man and deciding matches with goals and assists.”
He underlined that, while he draws inspiration from Neymar, he is focused on developing his own identity on the field.
“I watch a lot of what he does, but I don’t want to be a copy of anyone. I want people to say, ‘That’s İlhan’s style.’ Being creative with the ball and playing brave football are the things that define me most.”
Adapting to the coach’s system
Fakılı also spoke about the tactical aspects of his role and how he is adapting to the head coach’s demands during pre‑season.
“I already had an idea about the coach’s system before I signed,” he said. “But during training I understood it much better. Every team and every coach has a specific way of playing, a structure and certain principles. Our job as players is to adapt to that as quickly and as well as possible.”
According to the young player, the first sessions have been intense but productive.
“Training is very demanding, but that’s exactly what I expected at a club like this. The staff pay attention to every little detail: pressing, spacing, our movements off the ball. I’m learning every day. The more I understand what is expected from me tactically, the easier it will be to show my qualities with the ball.”
He emphasized that tactical discipline and individual flair must complement each other.
“You can’t only rely on talent, especially at the highest level. First, you have to do what the team needs: press, track back, stay compact. Once you fulfill those responsibilities, then you can show your creativity. I’m trying to balance both sides of my game.”
“One of my biggest goals was to reach the first league”
Reflecting on his career objectives, Fakılı revealed that stepping up to the top division was a key milestone he had been working toward.
“One of my biggest goals was to reach the first league,” he noted. “I’ve always believed that if I kept working hard, this moment would come. Getting an offer from Beşiktaş, a club with such a huge history and such passionate supporters, made that goal even more meaningful. It’s not only about playing in the top league; it’s about doing it in a shirt that has great weight and responsibility.”
He added that the move changed his mindset from simply reaching the highest level to making a real impact there.
“Now it’s not enough just to say, ‘I made it.’ I want to be an important player for this team, help them achieve their targets and grow together with the club.”
Life in the Slovakia camp
The training camp environment has also helped Fakılı integrate quickly with his new teammates and understand the club culture from the inside.
“A camp like this is perfect for getting used to everything,” he said. “You’re together all day, on and off the pitch. I’ve had the chance to talk to my teammates, listen to their experiences and observe how they handle pressure and expectations at a big club. That helps a lot, especially for a new signing.”
He highlighted the welcoming atmosphere within the squad.
“The older players and the staff have all been very supportive. They guide me in terms of positioning, communication on the field, even small professional habits like recovery and nutrition. You realize that every detail matters here.”
Personal goals and expectations
Looking ahead, Fakılı outlined both his short‑term and long‑term aims with Beşiktaş.
“In the short term, my first goal is to earn the trust of the coach and my teammates,” he said. “That means showing in training that I deserve minutes on the pitch. Once I get that chance, I want to be decisive: score goals, provide assists and contribute to the team’s attacking power.”
Longer term, he is thinking in terms of consistency and growth.
“I want to become a player who can perform at a high level every week, not just in a few matches. Consistency is what separates good players from the very best. If I can improve step by step, I believe I can stay at this level for many years and achieve important things with Beşiktaş.”
Mentality and handling pressure
Joining a major club also means dealing with greater expectations, something Fakılı says he embraces rather than fears.
“At a club like this, there is always pressure,” he acknowledged. “Fans want to see winning football and players who give everything. I see that as motivation. Pressure can push you to give more, to train harder and focus better.”
He underlined the importance of mental strength.
“Talent brings you here, but mentality keeps you here. You have to stay calm in difficult moments, remain patient when you’re not playing and be ready when your chance comes. I’m working not only on my physical and technical abilities but also on my mindset.”
Relationship with the fans
Although he is only at the beginning of his Beşiktaş journey, Fakılı is already dreaming of playing in front of the club’s famously passionate supporters.
“Everyone talks about the atmosphere created by these fans,” he said. “Even before signing, I had seen videos and heard stories about the noise, the energy, the way they push the team for ninety minutes. As a player, you want to experience that as soon as possible.”
He hopes to build a strong bond with the stands by showing dedication and courage.
“Supporters recognize when a player fights for the badge. I will try to reflect that on the field: never giving up on a ball, pressing until the last minute, trying to create something even when the game is tough. If I do that, I believe the fans will feel that connection.”
Areas he wants to improve
Fakılı is realistic about the aspects of his game that need refinement to succeed at the highest level.
“I know I still have a lot to learn,” he admitted. “Physically, I want to become stronger so I can handle duels better and maintain intensity throughout the match. Tactically, I need to perfect my timing in pressing and my positioning when we don’t have the ball.”
On the technical side, he is focused on being more efficient in the final third.
“I want to improve my finishing, especially with my weaker foot, and make better decisions in the last pass. At this level, small differences in decision‑making can change the outcome of a game. Every training session is an opportunity to get better in these areas.”
Vision for the future with Beşiktaş
Fakılı concluded by stressing that his move is not just a personal success story but the beginning of a long‑term project in which he hopes to play a key role.
“Signing for Beşiktaş is the realization of a dream, but it is also the start of a new chapter,” he said. “I want to be part of a team that fights for trophies, that plays attractive football and that makes its fans proud.”
His message was clear: the dream of joining Beşiktaş has come true, and now the focus is on turning that dream into lasting success on the pitch.
“My responsibility is to justify the trust placed in me,” he added. “If I work hard every day, listen to the coach, learn from my teammates and stay true to my style, I believe we can achieve great things together.”