{{Short description|Turkish footballer (born 1993)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=February 2021}} {{Infobox football biography | name = Kerim Frei | image = AUT vs. TUR 2016-03-29 (373).jpg | caption = Frei with Turkey in 2016 | fullname = Kerim Frei Koyunlu<ref>[http://www.tff.org/default.aspx?pageID=202&ftxtID=16654 TÜRKİYE 1-1 DANİMARKA], Turkish Football Federation, accessed 17 November 2012.</ref> | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1993|11|19}}<ref name="FIFA U-20 2013">{{cite web |url=http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2013/pdf/FWYC_2013_SquadLists.pdf |title=FIFA U-20 World Cup Turkey 2013 List of Players: Turkey |work=FIFA.com |format=PDF |page=21 |publisher=Fédération Internationale de Football Association |date=23 June 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130627043508/http://www.fifadata.com/document/FWYC/2013/pdf/FWYC_2013_SquadLists.pdf |archive-date=27 June 2013 |url-status=dead}}</ref> | birth_place = Feldkirch, Austria | height = 1.71 m | position = Winger | currentclub = Batman Petrolspor | clubnumber = 19 | youthyears1 = 2006–2010 | youthclubs1 = Grasshopper | youthyears2 = 2010–2011 | youthclubs2 = Fulham | years1 = 2011–2013 | clubs1 = Fulham | caps1 = 23 | goals1 = 0 | years2 = 2012 | clubs2 = → Cardiff City (loan) | caps2 = 3 | goals2 = 0 | years3 = 2013–2017 | clubs3 = Beşiktaş | caps3 = 68 | goals3 = 7 | years4 = 2017 | clubs4 = Birmingham City | caps4 = 13 | goals4 = 1 | years5 = 2017–2021 | clubs5 = İstanbul Başakşehir | caps5 = 40 | goals5 = 3 | years6 = 2019 | clubs6 = → Maccabi Haifa (loan) | caps6 = 16 | goals6 = 1 | years7 = 2020 | clubs7 = → Emmen (loan) | caps7 = 4 | goals7 = 1 | years8 = 2021 | clubs8 = Emmen | caps8 = 18 | goals8 = 0 | years9 = 2021–2023 | clubs9 = Fatih Karagümrük | caps9 = 28 | goals9 = 3 | years10 = 2023–2024 | clubs10 = Manisa | caps10 = 25 | goals10 = 1 | years11 = 2024–2025 | clubs11 = Elazığspor | caps11 = 33 | goals11 = 5 | years12 = 2025–2026 | clubs12 = 24 Erzincanspor | caps12 = 17 | goals12 = 0 | years13 = 2026– | clubs13 = Batman Petrolspor | caps13 = 6 | goals13 = 0 | nationalyears1 = 2008 | nationalteam1 = Switzerland U15 | nationalcaps1 = 1 | nationalgoals1 = 0 | nationalyears2 = 2010–2011 | nationalteam2 = Switzerland U18 | nationalcaps2 = 7 | nationalgoals2 = 4 | nationalyears3 = 2011 | nationalteam3 = Switzerland U19 | nationalcaps3 = 7 | nationalgoals3 = 1 | nationalyears4 = 2012 | nationalteam4 = Switzerland U21 | nationalcaps4 = 2 | nationalgoals4 = 0 | nationalyears5 = 2013 | nationalteam5 = Turkey U20 | nationalcaps5 = 5 | nationalgoals5 = 0 | nationalyears6 = 2013–2014 | nationalteam6 = Turkey U21 | nationalcaps6 = 6 | nationalgoals6 = 3 | nationalyears7 = 2013–2015 | nationalteam7 = Turkey A2 | nationalcaps7 = 2 | nationalgoals7 = 1 | nationalyears8 = 2012–2016 | nationalteam8 = Turkey | nationalcaps8 = 5 | nationalgoals8 = 0 | club-update = 16 February 2026 | nationalteam-update = }}
'''Kerim Frei Koyunlu''' (born 19 November 1993) is a footballer who plays as a winger for TFF 2. Lig club Batman Petrolspor<ref>https://www.tff.org/Default.aspx?pageId=526&kisiId=1344473</ref>. Born in Austria, he plays for the Turkey national team. He previously played club football for Fulham, Cardiff City, İstanbul Başakşehir, Beşiktaş, Birmingham City and Maccabi Haifa, and represented Switzerland up to under-21 level.
==Early life== Frei was born in Feldkirch, Austria, to a Turkish father and a Moroccan mother and was raised in Switzerland.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/ThroughtheRanksFrei.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120115134617/http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2010/April/ThroughtheRanksFrei.aspx |archive-date=15 January 2012 |title=Through the Ranks |publisher= Fulham FC|date=7 April 2010 |access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref>
==Career==
===Fulham=== Frei made his first team début on 7 July 2011 in Fulham's Europa League first qualifying round, second leg match against NSÍ Runavík of the Faroe Islands, where he came on as a substitute in the 72nd minute replacing Andrew Johnson.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2007028--nsi-vs-fulham/ | title = UEFA Europa League 2012 – NSÍ-Fulham |publisher = UEFA | access-date = 7 July 2011}}</ref> Following his debut, Huw Jennings gave his thoughts about Frei debut to Fulham.com:
{{cquote|For Kerim the change to go into the First Team has come early. He’s 17 years of age and had always been an exciting prospect. The Club's involvement in the Europa League has really helped to show what he can offer at First Team level. He [Frei] doesn’t lack for confidence - he’s a confident boy in terms of his own ability. He’s not an arrogant person – he’s very humble in lots of respects but what you see with Kerim is someone who, when he comes onto the pitch, comes alive. He explodes when he gets opportunities to get on the ball and it’s great to see someone with his qualities being recognised and having a chance to participate.<ref>{{cite news|title=A Classic Ten|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2011/august/08/a-classic-ten|publisher=Fulham Official Website|date=8 August 2011|access-date=19 April 2014}}</ref>}}
Frei then went on to make his first start for Fulham, playing on the right wing in the Europa League second qualifying round, first leg match against Crusaders in Belfast on 14 July 2011, receiving a yellow card in the 62nd minute.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.uefa.com/uefaeuropaleague/match/2007064--crusaders-vs-fulham/ | title = UEFA Europa League 2012 – Crusaders-Fulham |publisher = UEFA | access-date = 14 July 2011}}</ref>
He made his first start in English competition in a League Cup third round fixture away to Chelsea on 21 September 2011 and made his Premier League début on 10 December 2011, coming on a substitute for Mousa Dembélé in an away match against Swansea City. Fulham lost the match 2–0.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.fulhamfc.com/match-centre/2011_2012/league/away/swansea-city | title = Swansea City 2 – 0 Fulham | publisher = Fulham FC | access-date = 11 December 2013}}</ref> Frei scored his first senior goal for Fulham in the Europa League 2–2 draw against Odense BK at Craven Cottage, side footing home from a Dembélé through ball.<ref>{{cite web | url = https://www.fulhamfc.com/match-centre/2011_2012/europa-league/group-k/home/odense-boldklub | title = Fulham 2 – 2 Odense BK | publisher = Fulham FC | access-date = 11 December 2013}}</ref>
On 16 March 2012, Frei signed a contract extension with Fulham, lasting until the summer of 2015.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/March/FreiDealConfirmed.aspx |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508223820/http://www.fulhamfc.com/Club/News/NewsArticles/2012/March/FreiDealConfirmed.aspx |archive-date=8 May 2012 |title=Frei Contract Extension |publisher= Fulham FC|date=16 March 2012 |access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref> A week later, Frei started in Fulham's 1–0 defeat at Old Trafford against Manchester United. He was replaced by Bryan Ruiz in the 67th minute.<ref>{{cite news|title=Manchester United – Fulham 1–0 | url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/17425659 | publisher=BBC Football | date=26 March 2012 | access-date=26 March 2012}}</ref>
On 9 April 2012 in a 1–1 draw against Chelsea, Frei received the Man of the Match award from Sky Television for his performance.<ref>{{cite news|title=Frei earns captain's praise|url=https://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7665102/|publisher=Sky Sports|date=11 April 2012|access-date=12 July 2012}}</ref>
On 26 October 2012, Frei joined Cardiff City on loan until 2 December.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fulham's Kerim Frei loaned to Cardiff City for a month |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20094104 |work=BBC Sport |date=26 October 2012 |access-date=26 October 2012}}</ref> His first appearance was against Burnley, coming on in the 83rd minute for Craig Noone.<ref>{{cite news | url = https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/20014211 | title = Cardiff 4–0 Burnley | work = BBC Sport | access-date = 27 October 2012}}</ref> On 22 November, Frei was recalled to Fulham after 3 appearances.<ref>{{cite news |title=Fulham recall winger from Cardiff City loan |url=https://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/fulham-recall-winger-cardiff-city-5972255 |work=Fulham Chronicle |date=22 November 2012 |access-date=11 December 2013}}</ref>
===Beşiktaş===
Frei joined Turkish club Beşiktaş on 6 September 2013, signing a five-year deal.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.fulhamfc.com/news/2013/september/06/kerim-frei-departs|title=Frei Departs|publisher=Fulham FC|date=6 September 2013|access-date=6 September 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.bjk.com.tr/en/haber/56520 |title=Kerim Frei chooses Beşiktaş |publisher=Beşiktaş JK |date=6 September 2013 |access-date=6 September 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140202200722/https://www.bjk.com.tr/en/haber/56520 |archive-date= 2 February 2014 }}</ref> He made his league debut on 22 September 2013 in a 3–0 loss to Galatasaray, coming on in the 80th minute for Veli Kavlak.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2013/09/22/turkey/super-lig/besiktas-jk/galatasaray-sk/1532570/|title=Besiktas vs. Galatasaray - 22 September 2013 - Soccerway}}</ref> He scored his first league goal for Besiktas over a year later in a 3–2 loss to Kayseri Erciyesspor. He scored a brace in this game, one goal in the 70th minute, the other in the 85th, coming after he had come on for an injured Olcay Şahan in the 37th minute.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2014/10/27/turkey/super-lig/kayseri-erciyesspor/besiktas-jk/1778539/|title = Kayseri Erciyesspor vs. Besiktas - 27 October 2014 - Soccerway}}</ref>
===Birmingham City===
On 20 January 2017, Frei returned to English football, signing for Birmingham City on a three-and-a-half-year contract.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38692528 |title=Kerim Frei: Birmingham City sign former Fulham winger from Besiktas |work=BBC Sport |date=20 January 2017 |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> The fee was an initial €2.25 million, potentially rising to €3.5M.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://tr.beinsports.com/haber/kerim-frei-resmen-birminghamda |title=Kerim Frei resmen Birmingham'da! |language=tr |trans-title=Kerim Frei is officially a Birmingham Player |publisher=beIN Sports |date=20 January 2017 |access-date=21 January 2017}}<br>{{cite news |url=http://sportwitness.co.uk/birmingham-city-agreed-deal-worth-e3-5m-details-now-released/ |title=Birmingham City have agreed deal worth €3.5m, details now released |publisher=Sport Witness |date=20 January 2017 |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> He made his debut in the EFL Championship the following day, as an 82nd-minute substitute in a 1–1 draw away to Blackburn Rovers,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/38619050 |title=Blackburn Rovers 1–1 Birmingham City |work=BBC Sport |date=21 January 2017 |access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> but never established himself in the team. He finished the season with 13 league appearances, only 3 of which were in the starting eleven,<ref name=WantsOut>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/kerim-freis-birmingham-city-career-13039929 |title=Why Kerim Frei's Birmingham City career could be over before it even got going |first=Shane |last=Ireland |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=15 May 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref> and was an unused substitute 16 times.<ref name=Soccerway/> He scored once, with a {{nowrap|{{convert|28|yards|adj=on}}}} free kick away to Rotherham United on 14 April; Frei "stepped up and arrowed the ball straight and dipping beyond [Rotherham's goalkeeper]" to win the club's Goal of the Season award but not the match.<ref name=WantsOut/><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.birminghammail.co.uk/sport/football/match-reports/rotherham-united-1-birmingham-city-12895488 |title=Rotherham United 1 Birmingham City 1 – Kerim Frei's first goal not enough for Blues |first=Brian |last=Dick |newspaper=Birmingham Mail |date=14 April 2017 |access-date=20 July 2017}}</ref>
===İstanbul Başakşehir=== After just six months with Birmingham City, Frei returned to Turkey. He signed a four-year contract with İstanbul Başakşehir on 21 July 2017.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/40670660 |title=Kerim Frei: Birmingham City midfielder joins Istanbul Basaksehir for undisclosed fee |work=BBC Sport |date=20 July 2017 |access-date=21 July 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ibfk.com.tr/hos-geldiniz-kerim-frei-da-costa/ |title=Hoş geldiniz Kerim Frei, Da Costa |language=tr |trans-title=Welcome Kerim Frei, Da Costa |publisher=İstanbul Başakşehir Futbol Kulübü |date=21 July 2017 |access-date=21 July 2017 |archive-date=23 July 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170723233246/http://www.ibfk.com.tr/hos-geldiniz-kerim-frei-da-costa/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> He made his league debut for his new club on 19 August 2017 in a 3–1 loss to Kardemir Karabükspor.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://us.soccerway.com/matches/2017/08/19/turkey/super-lig/kardemir-dc-karabukspor/istanbul-buyuksehir-bsk/2506701/|title=Kardemir Karabükspor vs. Istanbul Basaksehir - 19 August 2017 - Soccerway}}</ref>
==== Loans to Maccabi Haifa and FC Emmen ==== He spent the second half of the 2018–19 season on loan at Maccabi Haifa.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2019-02-04 |title=Kerim Frei joins Maccabi Haifa on loan |url=https://www.turkishfootballnews.com/2019/02/04/kerim-frei-joins-maccabi-haifa-loan/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=Turkish Football News |language=en-US}}</ref> After returning to his parent club and having little playing time, Frei joined Dutch Eredivisie club Emmen in January 2020 on loan with an option to purchase.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.football-oranje.com/emmen-loan-turkish-international-winger/ |title=Emmen loan Turkish international winger |website=Football Oranje |date=27 January 2020 |access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref><ref name="Soccerway" />
=== Emmen === On 16 January 2021, Frei joined Eredivise club Emmen permanently, signing a one-and-a-half contract.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Haan |first=Thijs |date=2021-01-16 |title=Kerim Frei keert terug bij FC Emmen |url=https://fcemmen.nl/welkom-kerim-frei-2/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |website=FC Emmen |language=nl-NL}}</ref>
=== Manisa FK === On 4 July 2023, Frei joined Turkish 1.Lig side Manisa FK on a 2-year deal, with a 1-year option.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Kerim Frei Manisa FK’da |url=https://manisafk.com/kerim-frei-manisa-fkda/ |access-date=2023-07-25 |language=tr}}</ref>
==International career== Frei switched national team allegiances from Switzerland to Turkey in June 2012.<ref>[http://www.turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=3059 Fulham starlet Kerim Frei opts to represent Turkish National Team] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121216063915/http://turkish-football.com/news_read.php?id=3059 |date=16 December 2012 }} Turkish-football.com</ref> He represented Turkey at the 2013 FIFA U-20 World Cup.
==Career statistics==
{{updated|match played 26 July 2023}}<ref name=SW>{{cite web|url=https://int.soccerway.com/players/kerim-frei/194647/|title=K.Frei|website=Soccerway|access-date=26 July 2023}}</ref> {| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center" |+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competition |- !rowspan=2|Club !rowspan=2|Season !colspan=3|League !colspan=2|National Cup !colspan=2|League Cup !colspan=2|Other !colspan=2|Total |- !Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals |- |rowspan=3|Fulham |2011–12<ref name=sb1112>{{soccerbase season|59993|2011|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> |Premier League||16||0||1||0||1||0||7{{efn|name=statsUEL|Appearances in UEFA Europa League}}||1||25||1 |- |2012–13<ref name=sb1213>{{soccerbase season|59993|2012|access-date=21 January 2017}}</ref> |Premier League||7||0||1||0||0||0||colspan=2|—||8||0 |- !colspan=2|Total !23||0||2||0||1||0||7||1||33||1 |- |Cardiff City (loan) |2012–13<ref name=sb1213/> |Championship||3||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||3||0 |- |rowspan=5|Beşiktaş |2013–14<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||9||0||1||0||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||10||0 |- |2014–15<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||29||3||7||0||colspan=2|—||12{{efn|Three appearances and one goal in UEFA Champions League, nine appearances in Europa League}}||1||48||4 |- |2015–16<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||23||4||9||1||colspan=2|—||5{{efn|name=statsUEL}}||0||37||5 |- |2016–17<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||7||0||4||4||colspan=2|—||3{{efn|Two appearances in Champions League, one in Turkish Super Cup}}||0||14||4 |- !colspan=2|Total !68||7||21||5||colspan=2|—||20||1||109||13 |- |Birmingham City |2016–17<ref name=sb1617>{{soccerbase season|59993|2016|access-date=8 May 2017}}</ref> |Championship||13||1||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||colspan=2|—||13||1 |- | rowspan="5" |İstanbul Başakşehir |2017–18<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||22||3||2||0||colspan=2|—||8{{efn|Three appearances in Champions League, five appearances and one goal in Europa League}}||1||32||4 |- |2018–19<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||8||0||3||1||colspan=2|—||2{{efn|name=statsUEL}}||0||13||1 |- |2019–20<ref name=Soccerway/> |Süper Lig||3||0||3||0||colspan=2|—||0||0||6||0 |- |2020–21<ref name="Soccerway" /> |Süper Lig |7 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |7 |0 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !40||3||8||1|| colspan="2" |—||10||1||58||5 |- |Maccabi Haifa (loan) |2018–19<ref name="Soccerway" /> |Israeli Premier League||16||1|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||16||1 |- |Emmen (loan) |2019–20<ref name="Soccerway">{{cite web |url=https://uk.soccerway.com/players/kerim-frei/194647/ |title=K. Frei |website=Soccerway |publisher=Perform Group |access-date=9 March 2020}}</ref> |Eredivisie||4||0|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—|| colspan="2" |—||4||0 |- |Emmen |2020–21<ref name="Soccerway" /> |Eredivisie |17 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |1{{efn|One appearance in the Eredivisie promotion/relegation play-offs}} |0 |18 |0 |- | rowspan="3" |Fatih Karagümrük |2021–22<ref name="Soccerway" /> |Süper Lig |10 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |10 |0 |- |2022–23<ref name="Soccerway" /> |Süper Lig |18 |3 |3 |1 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |21 |4 |- ! colspan="2" |Total !28 !3 !3 !1 ! colspan="2" |— !0 !0 !31 !4 |- |Manisa |2023–24<ref name="Soccerway" /> |Turkish 1.Lig |0 |0 |0 |0 | colspan="2" |— |0 |0 |0 |0 |- !colspan=3|Career total !160||12||31||6||1||0||37||3||229||21 |} {{notelist}}
==Honours== '''Beşiktaş J.K.''' *Süper Lig: 2015–16
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== * {{TFF player|1344473|KERİM FREİ}} * {{FIFA player|358216|Kerim KOYUNLU}} * {{UEFA player|250064243|Kerim Frei (2017)}} * {{UEFA player|250031327|Kerim Frei (2013–2014)}} * {{NFT player|49334}} * {{ESPN FC|161612<!-- /kerim-frei -->}} * {{Soccerway|kerim-frei/194647}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Frei, Kerim}} Category:1993 births Category:Footballers from Feldkirch, Vorarlberg Category:Living people Category:21st-century Swiss sportsmen Category:21st-century Turkish sportsmen Category:Sportspeople of Turkish descent Category:Swiss people of Turkish descent Category:Swiss people of Moroccan descent Category:Turkish people of Moroccan descent Category:Austrian emigrants to Switzerland Category:Men's association football midfielders Category:Swiss men's footballers Category:Switzerland men's youth international footballers Category:Switzerland men's under-21 international footballers Category:Turkish men's footballers Category:Turkey men's youth international footballers Category:Turkey men's under-21 international footballers Category:Turkey men's international footballers Category:Fulham F.C. players Category:Cardiff City F.C. players Category:Beşiktaş J.K. footballers Category:Birmingham City F.C. players Category:İstanbul Başakşehir F.K. players Category:Maccabi Haifa F.C. players Category:FC Emmen players Category:Fatih Karagümrük S.K. footballers Category:Manisa F.K. footballers Category:Elazığspor footballers Category:24 Erzincanspor footballers Category:Premier League players Category:English Football League players Category:Süper Lig players Category:Israeli Premier League players Category:Eredivisie players Category:TFF 1. Lig players Category:TFF 2. Lig players Category:Turkish expatriate men's footballers Category:Expatriate men's footballers in England Category:Turkish expatriate sportspeople in England Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Wales Category:Turkish expatriate sportspeople in Wales Category:Expatriate men's footballers in Israel Category:Turkish expatriate sportspeople in Israel Category:Expatriate men's footballers in the Netherlands Category:Turkish expatriate sportspeople in the Netherlands