Who is Kenan Yildiz? Age, position, career of Juventus' new Serie A star with Arsenal, Liverpool transfer links

Kenan Yildiz was sufficiently nervous to have the shakes when he made his senior debut for Juventus on the opening day of the 2023/24 Serie A season in August.

But the Turkiye international, who turns 19 in the final month of the campaign, has quickly found his groove in the title contenders' first team.

Seven more appearances in all competitions followed during the remainder of 2023 for the player described as a "a cut above" by his youth-team coach and told to cut his hair by Juve manager Massimiliano Allegri.

Former Bayern Munich prospect Yildiz's performances have led to the fan of storied former striker Alessandro Del Piero being linked with Premier League giants Arsenal and Liverpool.

The Sporting News looks at Yildiz's story so far, including the views of the international newcomer and his parents on his prodigious talent.

 Who is Jean-Claude Blanc? Ex-Juventus chief to become new CEO of Man United

Born in Germany on May 4, 2005, Yildiz says he started playing football at three and was guided by his father, Engin, a self-taught footballer.

"He couldn't play in his youth because he lived in a small town in Turkiye," Yildiz told Juventus' official channel of his dad's influence. "It was difficult for him but in his head, he was really good. So he started to train with me."

Yildiz senior says he informed his teachings from matches he attended with his son and watching YouTube videos.                         

By the age of seven, his pupil had joined Bayern, scoring six times and assisting a further eight goals in 20 matches at Bundesliga regional Under-17 and Under-19 level in 2021/22, as well as being involved in four goals in six appearances in Turkiye's UEFA European Under-17 Championship campaign.

When his contract at