Ghana defender Kojo Oppong Peprah says he is looking forward to the challenge of playing for Turkish giants Fenerbahce after completing his transfer from French club OGC Nice.
The 24-year-old has joined Fenerbahce in a deal reportedly worth more than 10 million euros and was officially presented as a new player by the Turkish club on Saturday.
Oppong Peprah said his desire to continue developing as a footballer was a major factor behind his decision to leave Nice and move to Turkey.
The Ghana international believes there is still room for improvement in his game and sees his move to Fenerbahce as an opportunity to develop further while taking on a new challenge.
“I always love challenges in my life. For me, the most important thing is to constantly get better,” he said during his unveiling.
“I think I can improve further, both in terms of my long balls and reading the game better. I am very grateful for the warm welcome. I am very happy to have joined this family. I cant wait to wear this jersey.”
Oppong Peprah arrives at Fenerbahce with previous experience of playing against the club, having faced the Turkish side with Nice last season.
That experience also gave him an understanding of the atmosphere surrounding the club and its supporters before making the move to Istanbul.
The defender said conversations with Ghana team-mate Alexander Djiku, who has previously played for Fenerbahce, also helped shape his decision.
Djiku’s positive assessment of his former club gave Oppong Peprah additional encouragement as he considered whether to make the switch from France to Turkey.
“I spoke with Alexander Djiku. Hearing nice things from someone who played here had an impact on my transfer,” he added.
Oppong Peprah also spoke about his admiration for another Ghanaian who has a strong connection with Fenerbahce.
Former Ghana captain Stephen Appiah is regarded as a club legend, and Oppong Peprah said he would have liked to have spoken directly with him before completing his transfer.
The move represents another step in the defender’s career after only one season at Nice.
Oppong Peprah joined the French Ligue 1 club from IFK Norrkoping last summer and quickly became an important part of the side, making 39 appearances in all competitions during the previous campaign.
His performances at club level were followed by international recognition as he was selected by Ghana for the 2026 Fifa World Cup.
Oppong Peprah featured for the Black Stars during the tournament, appearing in matches against England and Croatia.
His move to Fenerbahce now provides him with an opportunity to continue his development at one of Turkey’s biggest clubs.
The reported value of the transfer, at more than 10 million euros, highlights the significance of the move for the Ghana defender as he begins a new chapter in his career.
Oppong Peprah has already experienced the intensity surrounding Fenerbahce after playing against the club during his time at Nice. He will now have the opportunity to experience that atmosphere from the other side.
The defender’s decision was also influenced by the experiences of fellow Ghanaian players, particularly Djiku, while Appiah’s status as a Fenerbahce legend has added another connection between the new signing and the club’s history.
For Oppong Peprah, however, the central motivation is the opportunity to improve.
He has identified his long-range passing and ability to read matches as two areas where he believes he can develop further.
After being welcomed by the club on Saturday, the Ghana international is now preparing to begin his career in Turkey.
His move from Nice follows a season in which he made 39 appearances and gained World Cup experience with Ghana. At Fenerbahce, he will now face a new challenge as he seeks to build on that progress.
The 24-year-old’s first words after his unveiling made clear that he is embracing the move rather than simply viewing it as a change of club.
“I always love challenges in my life. For me, the most important thing is to constantly get better,” he said.
Having already played against Fenerbahce and spoken to a former player about life at the club, Oppong Peprah arrives with some familiarity with his new surroundings.
He will now look to translate that experience into performances for his new team as he begins the next stage of his career.
