Having spent five years in Turkish Super Lig side Sivasspor’s youth ranks - after leaving his hometown of Batman in 2018 - Yunus Emre Konak made his professional debut in August 2023, when he started in defensive midfield during Sivasspor’s 1-1 draw with Samsunspor.

Over the four months that followed, at the tender age of 17, Konak started every single one of the next 16 league games, as well as continuing to play at international level for both Turkey Under-18s and U21s.

In October 2023, the teenager was named in a list published by The Guardian of the world’s best players born in 2006.

Turkish football expert Emre Sarigul wrote: “Konak has already managed to establish himself as first-choice defensive midfielder, a rather impressive feat in such a demanding position at his age. The 17-year-old has an impressive passing range, is hard-working, and already physically strong. He has been praised for staying grounded and humble despite his rapid rise.”

Sarigul added in an interview with brentfordfc.com: “Sivasspor manager Bülent Uygun had the following to say about Konak: ‘The most talented player I have seen in the last 30 years of Turkish football is Yunus Emre Konak, his physique, tempo, ability to read the game and mentality is exemplary.’”

One day after his 18th birthday in January 2024, Konak signed a five-and-a-half-year contract at Brentford, with a club option to extend the deal by a further 12 months.

Injury prevented him making his first-team debut during his first six months at the club, though he was included in the matchday squad for the visit of Newcastle United on the final day of the 2023/24 season.