Ghana forward Felix Afena-Gyan has joined Turkish club Iğdır FK on a permanent basis after leaving Italian side Cremonese, ending a three-year association with the Serie B team.
The 22-year-old has signed a two-year contract with Iğdır FK after impressing during his loan spell at Amedspor in the 2025/26 season.
Afena-Gyan played an important role as Amedspor achieved promotion to the Turkish Super Lig, scoring five goals and providing six assists during his time with the club.
His performances attracted attention from a number of clubs, but it was Iğdır FK that eventually reached an agreement to secure his services on a permanent basis.
The transfer gives the Ghanaian another opportunity to build on a season that helped restore momentum to his career following a difficult period in Italian football.
Afena-Gyan first made a name for himself at AS Roma, where he broke into the first team under then-manager José Mourinho. His emergence in the Italian capital led to a high-profile move to Cremonese in 2022, with the Serie B club paying €7.5 million for his services.
However, the forward found it difficult to establish himself as a regular and consistent presence during his time in Italy. His move to Turkey on loan for the 2025/26 campaign provided an opportunity to regain his form and confidence.
That spell proved productive, with his contribution helping Amedspor secure promotion to the Turkish top flight. His five goals and six assists were among the factors that made him one of the club’s leading performers during the campaign.
Afena-Gyan’s displays also helped revive interest in his career and ultimately led to his permanent switch to Iğdır FK.
The Ghana international will now remain in Turkey as he begins another chapter of his club career. The two-year agreement gives him the chance to continue his development while competing in the country’s football system.
Despite his improved form in Turkey, Afena-Gyan was not included in Ghana’s squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Head coach Carlos Queiroz instead selected other attacking options for the tournament.
The omission means the forward will now have to use his new club move as an opportunity to strengthen his case for a return to the Black Stars.
His successful campaign with Amedspor has already provided a positive step in that direction, but his next challenge will be to maintain that level of performance with Iğdır FK.
For the Ghanaian, the move represents a fresh start after an inconsistent period following his transfer to Cremonese. Having impressed during his time on loan and helped Amedspor reach the Turkish Super Lig, he will hope his permanent move can provide the stability needed to continue his progress.
Afena-Gyan’s immediate focus will be on establishing himself at Iğdır FK and building on the form that made him one of Amedspor’s standout players last season.
The forward will also be aiming to use his performances at club level to force his way back into Ghana’s plans for future international assignments.
After missing out on the 2026 World Cup despite his encouraging season in Turkey, Afena-Gyan now has another opportunity to revive his international career.
His permanent transfer to Iğdır FK gives him a new platform to develop, compete and demonstrate that he can once again become an important option for the Black Stars.
