Bio

Okay returned to The Hawthorns as Albion's fourth summer signing ahead of the 2022/23 campaign.

Yokuslu's second season in B71 was a typically busy one, with the Turkish powerhouse proving an indispensable part of the Baggies' starting XI. Okay made 41 appearances, scoring four goals and skippered Albion for the first time, which further exhibited the respect he's gained from his team-mates and boss, Carlos Corberán, as well as the influence he has in the dressing room.

The 2022/23 end of season awards saw Yokuslu win the Players' Player of the Season Award.

It wasn't the first time the Baggies had bolstered their midfield by signing the Turkish international, with Yokuşlu previously enjoying a stellar season in B71 after joining on loan from Spanish outfit Celta Vigo on deadline day in February 2021.

After graduating through the youth ranks of native side Altay, excitement around Yokuşlu was amplified when he made his debut for the Turkish second-tier team aged just 15 in January 2010.

On only his second league appearance Okay netted his first professional goal - becoming one of the youngest goalscorers in the history of Turkey’s second tier at 15 years, 10 months and 14 days old.

Overall, the Altay Academy star made 14 outings during his maiden season in senior football, followed by 21 showings and two goals in his second campaign at the club before Süper Lig outfit Kayserispor paid a record fee for the then 17-year-old midfielder in the summer of 2011.

Yokuşlu, who can operate in a central or deeper-lying midfield role, enjoyed a very progressive spell with the top-flight team - playing 110 times. He remained at Kayserispor despite suffering relegation in 2014, but returned to the first division a year later when he joined Trabzonspor.

Okay’s earliest experience of European football came in the Europa League qualifiers at the start of the 2015/16 term - a campaign that would end with him earning a Turkish senior cap against fierce rivals Greece.

Konak-born Yokuşlu expanded his versatility at Trabzonspor, featuring at centre-back on a number of occasions during the 2017/18 season.

Over three years with the club, Okay amassed more than 100 matches and contributed 17 direct goal involvements before moving west to experience life in La Liga with Celta Vigo.

He nailed down a regular starting birth from the off and helped to consecutively secure a place in the top division for the Spanish side - an ideal experience to have as the tough-tackling midfielder looks to impress the Albion faithful once again.