Abroad instead of 3rd league – Ex-Bochum player Ekincier has found a new club

Baris Ekincier spent four years at VfL Bochum, most recently playing for Waldhof Mannheim. Now the offensive man is moving abroad.

A few weeks after his contract with Waldhof Mannheim ended, Baris Ekincier has found a new club.

According to information from this editorial team, the 24-year-old is moving to Sanliurfaspor in the second Turkish league. The transfer is not yet official, but the 24-year-old is to be introduced to the traditional club in the near future.

For the native Sauerländer it becomes the first station abroad. Ekincier played for Rot-Weiss Essen as a youth player before moving to VfL Bochum’s U19 team in 2018. A year later, the club turned the winger into a professional.

However, Ekincier was not able to assert himself. He only made two appearances for the professional team and was loaned to Austria Klagenfurt in the meantime. Ekincier’s time at Castroper Straße came to an end after Bochum’s promotion to the Bundesliga in 2021.

41 appearances for Waldhof Mannheim

He moved to Waldhof Mannheim in the 3rd division. There, Ekincier experienced a mixed two years: He shuttled between the substitutes’ bench and the pitch, and was temporarily out with a torn inner ligament. After 41 competitive games and six goals, the two sides parted ways after the past season.

Now Ekincier is moving on to Sanliurfaspor. The club from southeastern Turkey was promoted to the second division last season. Now, as one of numerous new arrivals, Ekincier is expected to help Sanliurfaspor establish itself.

Ex-Bochum player Ekincier most recently played for SC Verl

The offensive player is said to have turned down offers from the 3rd league and Saudi Arabia, among others. In addition, there were rumors a few weeks ago about a move to Kickers Offenbach. The ambitious southwest regional league club is coached by Christian Neidhart. The coach and Ekincier know each other from Mannheim times.

Just a few days ago, Ekincier auditioned for SC Verl. In a test match, he was even able to draw attention to himself with a goal. Nevertheless, Ekincier’s future does not lie in East Westphalia – but in Turkey.

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