Stevenage have bolstered their attacking options ahead of the League One campaign by bringing in 19-year-old forward Tugra Turhan on a season-long loan from Turkish Super Lig club Istanbul Basaksehir, the club have confirmed.

An international pedigree at youth level

Turhan arrives at Broadhall Way with an intriguing background. Born in Switzerland, he joined Basaksehir last year having come through at Swiss top-flight club Grasshopper, and has earned international recognition at youth level from both Switzerland and Turkey, underlining the dual heritage that has shaped his early career.

The teenager made eight senior appearances during the 2024-25 season, featuring for Grasshopper in the Swiss top flight and contributing one senior goal. While those numbers are modest, the profile of his background, an attacker developed in Switzerland and then acquired by a club competing in the Turkish Super Lig, suggests Basaksehir see considerable potential in the youngster. A season in the English third tier is understood to form part of a structured development plan for him.

Another addition to Stevenage's growing squad

The Turhan signing adds further depth to a Stevenage side that has been active in the transfer market this summer. The club have already brought in a West Ham United defender and an Aston Villa teenager on loan earlier in the window, and the arrival of a third loan addition points to a considered strategy of supplementing experienced professionals with promising younger players.

Stevenage have also been active on the outbound side. Jack Taylor has departed on loan to Exeter City, while Zach Malcolm has joined York City on a temporary basis, freeing up space in the squad for incoming business. The departure of striker Jamie Reid to Reading on a permanent deal earlier in the window means Stevenage had a clear need to strengthen in the forward line, and Turhan is understood to address that requirement directly.

What Turhan could offer in League One

At 19, Turhan is unlikely to arrive as a guaranteed starter, and the step up to the English third tier from Swiss and Turkish football will represent a significant test of his adaptability. League One is widely regarded as a physically demanding and tactically intense division, and forwards joining from continental leagues have historically needed time to adjust to the pace and directness of play.

That said, Stevenage will be hopeful that his technical qualities, honed in Switzerland's top division and refined at a well-resourced Turkish Super Lig outfit, can translate effectively. His ability to represent two different national associations at youth level suggests a footballing intelligence and flexibility that managers tend to value.

With the season underway and competition for places already establishing itself across League One, Turhan will be looking to make an early impression and stake a claim for regular involvement in a Stevenage side that will be eager to build on recent positive results.

The loan is understood to run for the full 2025-26 season, though no further structural details regarding the agreement, such as a purchase option or any performance clauses, have been disclosed by either club.

Frequently asked

Who is Tugra Turhan?
Tugra Turhan is a 19-year-old forward born in Switzerland who has represented both Swiss and Turkish youth national teams. He moved to Turkish Super Lig side Istanbul Basaksehir from Swiss top-flight club Grasshopper and has now joined Stevenage on a season-long loan.
How long is Turhan's loan at Stevenage?
Turhan has joined Stevenage on a loan deal understood to cover the full 2025-26 League One season.
Which club does Tugra Turhan join Stevenage from?
He joins on loan from Istanbul Basaksehir, a club competing in the Turkish Super Lig.