Passports & Pitch Side: Oğuzhan ("Ozzy") Özyakup & Footballers on the Move ⚽🌍 | #FragomenFC – Ep. 7 (Part 1)
May 2, 2025

Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related insights
Related offices
Related contacts
Related insights
Related offices
In this special episode of #FragomenFC: Passport to North America 2026, co-hosts Partner Rick Lamanna (Toronto, Canada), Senior Manager Sergio Flores (Mexico City, Mexico) and Associate Jake Paul Minster (Boston, United States) are joined by Senior Associate Tuğba Özyakup (Amsterdam, Netherlands)—and an avid football fan. Tuğba brings along a very special guest: her cousin, Oğuzhan ("Ozzy") Özyakup, a professional footballer who has competed at the highest levels of the sport, representing both club and country across Europe.
Together, we explore Ozzy’s professional journey, tracing his path from youth academies to international competition, and discussing how immigration impacted every step of his career—from transfers and visas to work permits and national team eligibility. Tuğba offers valuable insights into Dutch immigration law as it relates to professional footballers, drawing on her legal background and personal connection to the game. Both guests share reflections on navigating the intersection of global mobility and elite sport in countries like the Netherlands, Turkey and beyond.
This is the first part of a two-part conversation. Stay tuned for Episode 8 (Part 2)!
Countries / Territories
- 🌐
Related contacts
Related offices
Related contacts
Related insights
Related offices
Related contacts
Related insights
Related offices
Explore more at Fragomen

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock discusses how the success of the UK’s immigration reforms relies on practical implementation and clear guidance for employers.

Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore and Associate Ilaria Iovieno highlight how a proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme could ease construction labour shortages and lower recruitment costs.

Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan highlights opportunities for AI, trade and talent mobility in the UAE.

Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm and Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi discuss how employers must proactively plan for immigration strategies to ensure smooth work and travel arrangements in the EU.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights that heightened re-entry concerns are prompting US advertising agencies to take a more cautious approach to Cannes Lions travel, with many travelers seeking legal guidance.

Awards
Partner Lisa Ryan is named to the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Devika Thamattat outlines how, effective immediately, all Golden Visa applications filed by the direct approval route for employees working at companies licensed by the Dubai Development Authority can only be filed via the AXS Portal.

Blog post
Senior Associate Pamela Taukuro explains the requirements and steps necessary to meet the character criteria for obtaining Australian visas under PIC 4020.

Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses France’s Visitor Visa – a key option for digital nomads looking to work remotely from one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Blog post
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio discusses France's visitor visa as a faster option for family members of local hire (Salarié) employees.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer outlines the legal and compliance challenges startups must navigate to offer workations while minimising risk.

Media mentions
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu highlights upcoming changes in Australia’s immigration policy under the re-elected Labour party.

Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock discusses how the success of the UK’s immigration reforms relies on practical implementation and clear guidance for employers.

Media mentions
Manager Kirsty Moore and Associate Ilaria Iovieno highlight how a proposed UK-EU youth mobility scheme could ease construction labour shortages and lower recruitment costs.

Media mentions
Managing Partner for the Middle East and Africa Murtaza Ali Khan highlights opportunities for AI, trade and talent mobility in the UAE.

Blog post
Immigration Supervisor Elisabeth Kamm and Business Immigration Consultant Marisa Gizzi discuss how employers must proactively plan for immigration strategies to ensure smooth work and travel arrangements in the EU.

Media mentions
Partner Daniel Schwarz highlights that heightened re-entry concerns are prompting US advertising agencies to take a more cautious approach to Cannes Lions travel, with many travelers seeking legal guidance.

Awards
Partner Lisa Ryan is named to the San Francisco Business Times' Most Influential Women in Bay Area Business list.

Video
In this Mobility Minute, Manager Devika Thamattat outlines how, effective immediately, all Golden Visa applications filed by the direct approval route for employees working at companies licensed by the Dubai Development Authority can only be filed via the AXS Portal.

Blog post
Senior Associate Pamela Taukuro explains the requirements and steps necessary to meet the character criteria for obtaining Australian visas under PIC 4020.

Video
Immigration Consultant Azela Hadia discusses France’s Visitor Visa – a key option for digital nomads looking to work remotely from one of the world’s most iconic destinations.

Blog post
Immigration Consultant Laura Varon Osorio discusses France's visitor visa as a faster option for family members of local hire (Salarié) employees.

Media mentions
Senior Manager Katharina Vorländer outlines the legal and compliance challenges startups must navigate to offer workations while minimising risk.

Media mentions
Australia and New Zealand Managing Partner Teresa Liu highlights upcoming changes in Australia’s immigration policy under the re-elected Labour party.