Trossard completes £15.3m move to Istanbul during World Cup transfer window

Leandro Trossard has completed a transfer to an Istanbul club for a reported fee of £15.3m, a deal that was confirmed while the World Cup commanded global attention. The announcement came just before England’s semi-final defeat against Argentina, meaning the move drew less immediate notice than it might have at another time.

After three and a half seasons with Arsenal and at the age of 31, Trossard departs north London having made a notable contribution to the squad. He finished his Arsenal spell with 174 appearances and 36 goals, a large number of which arrived when he came off the bench. Throughout his spell he was often deployed as a decisive impact player and was involved in the club’s run to its first league title in 22 years.

Trossard’s ability to influence matches from a substitute role is central to how his Arsenal tenure will be recalled. He scored in several crucial moments, providing timely goals in situations when the team needed an injection of urgency. That pattern of coming off the bench to change games made him a trusted option for successive managers.

The timing of the transfer — announced during the World Cup — meant much of the media cycle focused elsewhere, and the move slipped under the broader international coverage. For supporters and analysts who track the market closely, the fee of £15.3m and the decision to leave after three and a half seasons represent clear markers of the next stage in his career. Trossard’s departure closes a chapter in Arsenal’s recent evolution while opening a new one in Turkey.

While numbers and moments define his record, the wider perception among fans will be shaped by those late-game contributions and his part in ending a long title drought for Arsenal. The club now moves on from a player who combined versatility with a knack for timely interventions. His move to Istanbul marks the end of a significant spell at Arsenal and the beginning of a fresh challenge abroad.

Will Magee