Netherlands defender Aké leaves Man City to join Fenerbahce's quest for Turkish league title

ISTANBUL (AP) — Netherlands defender Nathan Aké left Manchester City on Friday to join Fenerbahce as the Istanbul club seeks a first Turkish league title in 13 seasons.

Fenerbahce announced the signing on its social media accounts without giving details of the transfer fee or the 31-year-old Aké’s contract.

The club said Aké will join training after taking a post-World Cup break. He will reunite with former Man City goalkeeper Ederson who is still at the World Cup with Brazil.

Aké played in three of the Netherlands’ four games at the World Cup, including starting in the round of 32 loss to Morocco on Monday.

Fenerbahce starts its Champions League qualifying campaign on July 21 or 22, at home to Górnik Zabrze in the first leg of the second qualifying round, The return game is in Poland one week later.

Aké spent six seasons under Pep Guardiola at Man City, winning the Champions Leaguee in 2023 and the Premier League four times.

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Netherlands' Nathan Ake (5) dribbles the ball during the World Cup Group F soccer match between Tunisia and the Netherlands in Kansas City, Mo., Thursday, June 25, 2026. (AP Photo/Charlie Riedel)

Netherlands' Nathan Ake (5) arrives before the World Cup round of 32 soccer match between the Netherlands and Morocco in Guadalupe, near Monterrey, Mexico, Monday, June 29, 2026. (AP Photo/Moises Castillo)

ARLINGTON, Texas (AP) — Mohamed Salah is in the starting lineup for Egypt's debut in the knockout round of the World Cup against Australia despite a hamstring injury sustained in the group stage finale.

The former Liverpool star was set for the start at the home of the Dallas Cowboys on Friday, a day after coach Hossam Hassan said through a translator he was hopeful Salah would play but might have to come off the bench.

Salah needs one goal to tie Hassan's Egyptian record of 69 international goals. The 34-year-old team captain has appeared in 119 international matches.

Salah was replaced in the 57th minute of Egypt's 1-1 draw against Iran that sent the Pharaohs to the knockout round for the first time in their fourth World Cup. Hassan said Salah went through limited training in the days before the Australia game.

See more of AP’s World Cup coverage here

Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10)and Iran's Ali Nemati (19) battle for the ball during the World Cup Group G soccer match between Egypt and Iran in Seattle, Friday, June 26, 2026. (AP Photo/Manu Fernandez)

Egypt's Mohamed Salah (10) participates in a training session in Dallas, Thursday, July 2, 2026, ahead of the team's World Cup soccer match against Australia. (AP Photo/Tony Gutierrez)