Reigning Turkish champions Galatasaray are €30 million richer after selling right back Sacha Boey to Thomas Tuchel’s Bayern Munich.

Boey helped Galatasaray to the Turkish Super Lig title last season but left for Germany in a deal that could rise to €35 million with add-ons. The French Under 20 international has only been in Istanbul for two-and-a-half years but has seen his stock rise markedly in that time.

“This is a dream come true for me,” said the 23-year-old. “It’s an honour for me to get to play for such a big club like Bayern. I’m really looking forward to my new team and getting to play with all these great players in the future. As a player, I’m a defender who likes to attack, just as happy being involved up front as in defence.”

Boey, born in Montreuil, played twice against the German giants in this season’s Champions League, allowing them to get a close-up view of his talents, something Bayern CEO Jan-Christian Dreesen, alluded to as he welcomed the new signing to the Allianz Arena.

“We’re pleased to have signed a young player with a lot of potential on a long-term deal in Sacha Boey,” said Dreesen. He performed really well in both Champions League games against us. It means we haven’t just improved our squad depth but also added further quality.”

Boey began his career with Rennes, having joined their academy at the age of 14. At just 18, he made his senior debut for the first team in Ligue 1 against Toulouse and appeared against a Paris Saint-Germain side managed by Tuchel in the same season.

A season-long loan with Dijon followed, and the young defender appeared 24 times, cementing a reputation as a huge prospect for the future. That exposure to senior football led Galatasaray, known as Sarı-Kırmızılılar, to agree a fee for his services.

His time in Istanbul has seen him continue to thrive despite not being chosen for the French Under-21 team after outgrowing the Under-20s. He’s had four goals and four assists to his name during his spell at the Ali Sami Yen Stadium across 83 senior appearances. In 2022/23, he helped his side lift the Turkish title, and he leaves them second in the table, three points behind Fenerbahce with a game in hand.

Boey takes the squad number 23, although he is known for wearing the number 93. He grew up in the Paris suburb of Seine-Saint-Denis, which is often colloquially known as 93.

Site Opinion

Boey is beginning to look like a real talent, and a move to Bayern will elevate his status even more. A cap for France is sure to follow, and if he can break into the Bayern team, then the world is his oyster. He’s an attacking full-back, sound defensively, but able to create havoc running at the opposition.

He appeared 12 times in the Champions League for Galatasaray and rarely looked out of his depth. With a Turkish title already in the bag, he’s now likely to be hunting serious honours at one of Europe’s most prestigious clubs. Sacha Boey is a name you could well be hearing much more of over the coming years.