Junior Olaitan marked his first appearance in European competition with two assists as Besiktas beat Olympique de Marseille 4-1, underlining the Benin international’s rapid emergence in Turkey.
The 24-year-old midfielder has made an immediate impression since joining Besiktas and is becoming one of the early-season revelations at the club. His performances have also strengthened his reputation as one of Benin’s most promising players.
From Ayema FC to French football
Olaitan began his development at Ayema FC in Benin before moving to France to continue his education as a footballer. Chamois Niort was his first club there, followed by spells with Troyes and Grenoble.
Those three experiences helped him refine his role in midfield and adjust to the demands of French football. His route was a conventional one for a young player arriving from West Africa, but it provided a firm foundation for his later progress.
A breakthrough at Goztepe
Olaitan took a significant step forward in the summer of 2025 when he moved to Turkey to play for Goztepe. The spell increased his profile and showed that he could adapt to a more demanding league after his time in France.
During his stay at Goztepe, the Benin international made 18 appearances and scored two goals.
Besiktas move raises expectations
Besiktas secured the attacking midfielder’s services this summer in a deal estimated at 5 million euros. The fee reflected the change in status for the player, who had moved to one of the major historic clubs in Turkish football.
Olaitan has adapted quickly to his new surroundings. Since arriving, he has provided six assists in 12 matches, despite operating in an environment where expectations are considerably greater than they were at Goztepe.
His most significant performance came against Olympique de Marseille in his European debut. Named in the starting line-up, he played 82 minutes and had 59 touches of the ball, maintaining a consistent influence on Besiktas’ attacking play.
His contribution went beyond his two assists. Olaitan also created three major chances and completed 82% of his passes, helping make him one of the key figures in Besiktas’ convincing 4-1 victory.
Established with Benin
His progress at club level has been matched by an increasingly important role for the national team. The player developed at Ayema FC already has 40 appearances for Benin and has scored five goals.
That record has made him an established figure for the Guepards at only 24, reflecting the trust placed in him and the consistency of his development.
Olaitan is under contract in Turkey until 2029. His current market value is estimated at 7 million euros by Transfermarkt.
Besiktas’ next fixture is their sixth Turkish league match, against Amed SK. The listed odds are 1.79 for a Besiktas win, 3.60 for a draw and 3.90 for an Amed SK victory.