'Prototype' Can Keles extended until 2026

Name: FK Austria Wien
Price range: $

Can Keles was eleven years old when he joined Austria. Step by step, he climbed the Violette career ladder. Today, he is 20 years old, has established himself in the team and is committed to our path as a full-blooded Violet.

Can Keles has been in Manfred Schmid's Austria starting eleven in each of the last three games and currently has 16 appearances for the team, as well as two goals and two assists. The rewards include his long-term contract extension in Vienna-Favoriten & the first call-up to the U21 national team.

"Can Keles has great potential, is tricky, fast and has a good finish." - Manuel Ortlechner

Sporting director Manuel Ortlechner: "Can played a very good derby and scored the winning goal against WAC a week earlier. He has great potential, is tricky, fast and has a good finish. He brings many attributes that an Austria fan wants to see. I believe he will bring us a lot of joy in the future."

Can Keles left his mark on Violett over many years in the youth system, in the academy and with the Young Violets, for whom he scored six goals and contributed 13 assists in 39 games.

"Can Keles is a prototype for our path, similar to Matthias Braunöder and Muharem Huskovic, for example: He made the leap to the Bundesliga via our academy and the Young Violets. We are delighted that he has decided to continue on our path and sign a long-term contract," explains Manuel Ortlechner.

"In Vienna, Austria is number one. I feel like a true Austrian after nine years with the club." - Can Keles

Can Keles: "It's clear to me that Austria is number one in Vienna. After nine years with the club, I feel like a true Austrian. A big part of that is our fans, who again gave us great support yesterday in the derby. We players feel the great support on the pitch. I'm all the happier to be playing for such a traditional club and to be able to stay until 2026. I will always give one hundred percent to help the team and give something back to our fans and the club."

On Sunday evening, Can Keles and his teammates Matthias Braunöder, Vesel Demaku and Niels Hahn traveled to the ÖFB U21 national team, which will play important games in the European Championship qualifiers in Croatia on March 25 and against Norway on March 29.