Ivory Coast international Abakar Sylla has left Strasbourg permanently after completing a move to Turkish Süper Lig side Gaziantep FK.
The 23-year-old central defender brings an end to his two-year spell with the French club, having joined Strasbourg in 2023.
Sylla’s transfer to Turkey was made possible by the later closing date of the Turkish transfer window. The financial details of the deal have not been disclosed.
His departure is unlikely to enable Strasbourg to recover the €20 million they paid to sign the defender in 2023.
Sylla joined Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace with significant expectations but struggled to establish himself as a regular and consistent presence in the side.
During his time in Alsace, the Ivory Coast international made 51 appearances across competitions and scored four goals.
His opportunities at Strasbourg became more limited last season, when he was sent on loan to fellow French club FC Nantes for the second half of the campaign.
The temporary move gave Sylla an opportunity to continue playing in France, but he ultimately returned to Strasbourg before completing his permanent transfer to Turkey.
Gaziantep have now added the defender to their squad as they look to strengthen their options in the Turkish top flight.
In confirming the move, Strasbourg officially announced that Sylla had joined Gaziantep FK, describing the Turkish side as a Süper Lig club.
The French club also confirmed that the defender’s spell in Alsace had come to an end after two years.
Racing Club de Strasbourg Alsace announces the departure of Abakar Sylla to Gaziantep FK, a Süper Lig club.
The Ivory Coast international, who joined Racing in the summer of 2023, made 51 appearances during his time in Alsace, scoring 4 goals. Loaned to FC Nantes last season, the central defender has now joined Gaziantep FK in Turkey on a permanent transfer.
The entire Club wishes him all the best for the rest of his career.
Sylla now begins another chapter of his career in Turkey, where he will hope to secure regular first-team football and rebuild the momentum of his development.
For the Ivory Coast defender, the move represents a fresh opportunity after a Strasbourg spell in which he never fully established himself as a key member of the team.
His next challenge will be to adapt to Turkish football and compete for a regular place in the Gaziantep defence.
