Mervan Çelik

Mervan Çelik (born 26 May 1990) is a Swedish former professional footballer who played as a winger. He previously played for GAIS, Rangers, Pescara, Gençlerbirliği, Akhisar Belediyespor, Häcken, and Fatih Karagümrük. He represented Sweden at youth international level.

Club career

GAIS Çelik played for IF Warta and BK Häcken at youth level before joining GAIS in 2007. "I started as a striker but now I play as an inner midfielder and winger. It does not matter if I play on the right or the left, both positions work for me," he said in an interview on the club's website. He signed a three-year contract in May 2009, which he signed on 20 January 2012. After Rangers went into administration, Çelik chose to leave the club in March 2012 without a pay-off.

GAIS claimed that Rangers owed them £240,000 compensation for the transfer of Celik. However, there were suggestions that Celik was not offered a new contract within 60 days before the end of his previous deal, meaning that no compensation would have been necessary. Both GAIS and Celik disputed this and the club have threatened to take the matter to FIFA if Rangers don't pay them.

Return to GAIS After leaving Rangers in March 2012, Çelik signed an eight-month contract with GAIS.

Pescara Çelik continued his career in Italian first league with the newcomer Pescara in 2012. He scored the first goal for Pescara the 2012–13 season against Sampdoria in a 3–2 loss.

International career Çelik has represented Sweden at youth level. He made his under-21 debut against Norway on 2 June 2011 and scored two goals in a 4–1 win. He is eligible to play for Turkey through his parents.

Honours BK Häcken Svenska Cupen 2018–19

Personal life Çelik was born and raised in the suburb Biskopsgården, Hisingen, an island which forms part of the Gothenburg Municipality. His mother and father lived in Konya before moving to Sweden, where his father opened a restaurant.