Kaan Ayhan

Kaan Ayhan (born 10 November 1994) is a professional footballer who plays as a defender for Süper Lig club Galatasaray. Born in Germany, he plays for the Turkey national team.

Club career Schalke 04 Ayhan joined Schalke 04's youth academy when he was 4 years old. On 18 January 2012, he signed a professional contract with Schalke 04 that would last until 30 June 2015. Ayhan was assigned a number 24 shirt. Ayhan made his debut against FC Augsburg in a 4–1 win on 5 October 2013, coming on as a substitute for Ádám Szalai. On 3 May 2014, Ayhan scored his first Bundesliga goal in the 13th minute of a 2–0 victory at SC Freiburg.

In January 2016, Ayhan joined Eintracht Frankfurt on loan from Schalke for the second half of the season. Frankfurt secured the option of signing him permanently, however, the fixed transfer fee was reported as being too high for a permanent signing to be likely.

Fortuna Düsseldorf On 31 August 2016, Ayhan left Schalke 04 after 17 years at the club to join 2. Bundesliga side Fortuna Düsseldorf.

On 13 May 2017 Ayhan scored the third goal in a 3-2 for win over 1. FC Nürnberg, securing the 2017–18 2. Bundesliga title for Fortuna Düsseldorf.

Sassuolo On 16 August 2020, Ayhan joined Serie A club Sassuolo.

Galatasaray On 28 January 2023, Galatasaray announced the official negotiations for the temporary transfer of Kaan Ayhan from Sassuolo till the end of the season. On 30 January 2023, the transfer was confirmed by Sassuolo as an initial loan with an obligation to buy.

Ayhan became a champion in the Süper Lig in the 2022–23 season with the Galatasaray team. Defeating Ankaragücü 4–1 away in the match played in the 36th week on 30 May 2023, Galatasaray secured the lead with 2 weeks before the end and won the 23rd championship in its history.

Following the season, it was announced that Galatasaray had triggered the buy option on Ayhan's loan deal at the cost of €2.8 million.

International career A Turkish-German, Ayhan has been capped by both Germany and Turkey junior national teams. In October 2013, Ayhan was selected for the Turkey under-21 squad. He was called up by manager Fatih Terim for Turkey's friendly match against Russia on 31 August 2016, and subsequent World Cup 2018 qualifier against Croatia. Kaan Ayhan gave his debut for the Turkey national football team on 31 August 2016 in a friendly against Russia.

He was named in Turkey's 26-man squad for UEFA Euro 2024.

On 2 June 2026, Ayhan was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. In Turkey's final group stage game against the United States, Ayhan scored the winning goal in the final minute of the game, as Turkey won 3–2; however, Turkey were eliminated due to earlier losses versus Australia and Paraguay.

Career statistics Club + Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Division!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals!!Apps!!Goals

2012–13 Bundesliga

2013–14

Scores and results list Turkey's goal tally first, score column indicates score after each Ayhan goal.

Honours Fortuna Düsseldorf 2. Bundesliga: 2017–18

Galatasaray Süper Lig: 2022–23, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025–26 Turkish Cup: 2024–25 Turkish Super Cup: 2023

Germany U17 FIFA U-17 World Cup third place: 2011