Ryan Kent, a former Rangers star and summer transfer target for Leeds United, was released by Fenerbahçe after both parties mutually terminated their contracts.
Fenerbahçe said in a club statement, as quoted by the Scottish Sun: “Mutual agreement has been reached to terminate the contract with Ryan Kent, a member of the Professional Football A Team.”
“We present it to the public.”
Kent joined the Turkish Süper Lig team in the summer of 2023 and played in just one league game while making a total of 19 appearances, most of which came during the Conference League season the previous year.
The Englishman’s lone game for the Istanbul-based team this season was back in July in a Champions League qualifier against Lugano of the Swiss Super League.
Ryan Kent had already piqued the curiosity of Leeds United, and they still may.
The Scottish Sun claims that during the winger’s tenure with Scottish Premiership powerhouse Rangers—where he played permanently from 2019 to 2023 after a 2018–19 loan stint—the Whites maintained a transfer interest in him.
Kent, who scored 10 goals in the league and had nine assists, was a major contributor to the Gers’ 2020–21 Premiership title victory.
The wide player actually had his best prolific season to date in terms of goal contributions during the 2020–21 campaign, as he finished with 13 goals and 11 assists in all competitions.
With one goal and three assists in the 2022–2023 Europa League campaign, the former Liverpool player contributed to the Gers’ incredible run to the championship game.
The Scottish Sun reported in 2020 that the Whites were prepared to offer the winger £14 million after being promoted to the Premier League; however, the move never happened.
The West Yorkshire team’s move in 2020 demonstrates their long-standing admiration for Kent, and in the summer of 2024, GiveMeSport via Haber Ekspres in Turkey disclosed that the Whites had submitted a €3 million bid for the wide player, a sign that they still interested in his talents.
Leeds is reportedly still interested in the winger, according to a report in the Scottish Sun. As a result, there will likely be competition among teams to offer the player a contract.
The 27-year-old is a gifted winger who made a lasting impression north of the border when playing for Rangers, where he advanced to the Europa League final and won the Scottish FA Cup and Premiership.
Throughout his tenure with the Gers, Kent was a consistent goal scorer and assist producer. He never finished a season with fewer than 11 goal contributions across all competitions for the Ibrox team. The 2020–21 season, in which he scored 13 goals and provided 11 assists, shows just how devastating a player he can be.
In addition to former Manchester United player Dan James, Leeds manager Daniel Farke already has a strong group of wingers at his disposal, including Italy international Wilfried Gnonto and former La Liga star Largie Ramazani.
Furthermore, if United decides to show more interest again, Kent’s possible arrival would further strengthen the Whites’ depth chart and raise the likelihood that they will return to the Premier League when the time comes.
After a lackluster spell in Turkey, Kent has much to prove. Making his first appearance in English football since a 2017–18 loan from Liverpool to Bristol City could be just what he needs to rekindle his passion.