Kaya Kaynak: From Aspiring Journalist to Arsenal Insider and Lead Script Writer at Tifo Football
Kaya Kaynak is a name that resonates strongly among football fans, particularly those who follow Arsenal and enjoy in-depth, analytical coverage of the game. A multimedia journalist with a background in international journalism, Kaya has steadily built his reputation as both a trusted reporter and a creative script writer. With a career spanning roles at major outlets such as Football.London and Tifo Football, his journey is one that reflects dedication, versatility and passion for sport. This article explores Kaya Kaynak’s life, career, education, professional achievements, social media presence and more, providing a comprehensive look at one of football journalism’s rising voices.
Early Life and Background
Kaya Kaynak has roots in both the United Kingdom and Turkey, being a native speaker of English and Turkish. He also possesses proficiency in French, a reflection of his international upbringing and studies. While details about his private life remain limited — a conscious choice in keeping his professional and personal worlds separate — what is clear is his commitment to journalism from a young age. His enthusiasm for football and storytelling has driven his career trajectory from student journalism to established multimedia platforms.
Education
University of York
Kaya studied History at the University of York, completing his Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree between 2015 and 2018. During this period, he was actively involved in extracurricular activities such as swimming and hockey, alongside developing his writing skills. He also gained valuable editorial experience as Sports Editor at York Vision, the student newspaper. This role saw him overseeing sports content, managing deadlines and writing his own features.
City, University of London
Following his undergraduate studies, Kaya pursued a Master’s degree in International Journalism at City, University of London from 2018 to 2019. Graduating with distinction, he honed advanced skills in producing TV and radio news packages, editing, presenting, and writing across print and digital formats. His academic excellence was highlighted by top marks in match reports, sports features and interviews. The Master’s programme provided the professional grounding that would later define his multimedia career.
Career Journey
Early Steps
Kaya’s professional career began with early roles that gave him exposure to the dynamics of sports media. Between 2013 and 2014, he contributed to GiveMeSport, writing match reports and features tailored for a social media-driven audience. This was followed by valuable internships at BBC Sport in 2016 and ITN in 2018, where he shadowed correspondents and contributed ideas for live broadcasts.
Building Experience in Media Production
From 2019, Kaya worked across several outlets, broadening his expertise in sports and news production. As an Assistant Producer at talkSPORT, he helped deliver live coverage of Premier League football to international audiences. At CBC, he contributed to breaking news and global features, while also producing live and pre-recorded content. During this period, he also created and co-hosted the Talking Balls Podcast, which focused on under-reported sports and gained recognition as a leading student radio podcast.
Rise in Football Journalism
In 2019, Kaya began writing for 90min.com, producing over 200 articles that collectively amassed more than a million views. Covering both European and Premier League football, he established himself as a sharp, engaging writer with an eye for compelling narratives. He later joined GRV Media in 2020, contributing sports articles with a strong SEO focus, helping the site raise funds for the NHS during the pandemic.
Chief Arsenal Correspondent at Football.London
The turning point in his career came in November 2020, when he was appointed Chief Arsenal Correspondent at Football.London, part of Reach plc. This multifaceted role required him to deliver concise match reports and breaking news to tight deadlines while covering Arsenal matches and press conferences worldwide. Kaya also became known for securing exclusive interviews and stories, often appearing in video formats.
As Arsenal’s chief correspondent, he built a loyal readership and following across multiple platforms. His coverage has been characterised by accuracy, insight and a keen understanding of fan engagement, particularly on X (Twitter), Facebook and YouTube. This role demonstrated his versatility as a journalist — combining live reporting, feature writing, podcast production and social media strategy.
Tifo Football and Tifo Sport
In January 2025, Kaya took another significant step in his career, joining Tifo Football and Tifo Sport as Lead Script Writer. Tifo, known for its distinctive animated explainers and deep dives into football’s tactical and cultural dimensions, is part of The Athletic. In this role, Kaya brings together his sharp writing skills, historical knowledge and passion for football to craft engaging scripts that inform and entertain global audiences.
Skills and Expertise
Kaya Kaynak’s professional journey reflects a wide-ranging skillset, including:
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Creative ideation and content planning – From concept to execution, he has consistently developed innovative editorial content.
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Text editing and proofreading – Ensuring clarity, accuracy and readability under tight deadlines.
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SEO and digital strategy – Experienced in writing with a strong understanding of search optimisation and audience engagement.
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Multimedia production – Skilled in podcast hosting, audio production, and video editing.
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Live reporting – Adept at covering matches, press conferences and events in real-time.
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Languages – Fluent in English and Turkish, proficient in French.
Age and Personal Life
While Kaya has not shared his exact date of birth publicly, he has previously indicated he was 23 years old in 2021, placing his birth year around 1997–1998. This suggests he is currently in his mid-to-late twenties. Beyond his professional achievements, Kaya has chosen to keep details about his personal life, including any spouse or children, private. This discretion highlights his focus on his journalistic identity rather than personal publicity.
Social Media Presence
Kaya Kaynak on Twitter (X)
Kaya maintains an active presence on X (formerly Twitter) under the handle @kayakaynak97. Here, he regularly shares Arsenal updates, match insights, transfer news and professional commentary. His posts are followed closely by Arsenal fans and fellow journalists alike, contributing to his reputation as a reliable source of news.
Other Platforms
In addition to Twitter, Kaya is also visible on Instagram and YouTube, where he engages with audiences through visual content, interviews and analysis. His digital reach has become an essential part of his role as a modern multimedia journalist.
Legacy and Influence
Despite being relatively young, Kaya Kaynak has already established himself as a significant figure in football journalism. His dual role as an Arsenal insider and creative script writer at Tifo allows him to bridge two important worlds: fast-paced news reporting and thoughtful, analytical storytelling.
For aspiring journalists, his journey offers several lessons:
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The importance of seizing early opportunities, even in internships and student media.
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The value of versatility across platforms and media formats.
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The impact of building a personal voice and engaging authentically with audiences on social media.
Conclusion
Kaya Kaynak’s rise through the ranks of journalism underscores the power of passion, adaptability and persistence. From his early days as a student writer to becoming Chief Arsenal Correspondent at Football.London and later Lead Script Writer at Tifo Football, he has consistently proven his ability to adapt to evolving media landscapes while maintaining journalistic integrity.
With a growing influence on both traditional and digital platforms, Kaya Kaynak represents the new generation of football journalists who combine storytelling, analysis and digital engagement. As his career continues to flourish, he will undoubtedly remain a prominent voice in football media for years to come.
