Metehan Baltacı

Metehan Baltacı (born 3 November 2002) is a Turkish footballer who plays as a centre-back for Gençlerbirliği.

Professional career

Galatasaray Baltacı is a product of the Galatasaray youth academy, joining in 2012.

İskenderunspor (loan) A youth product of Galatasaray, Baltacı began his senior career on a season-long loan with İskenderunspor in the TFF Third League on 7 August 2021.

Return to Galatasaray after loan He returned to Galatasaray the following season and on 19 October 2022, he made his senior debut with Galatasaray in a 7–0 Turkish Cup win over Kastamonuspor on 19 October 2022. On 1 February 2022, he extended his contract with Galatasaray until 2026.

Manisa (loan) That same day, he joined Manisa on loan for the second half of the 2022–23 season in the TFF First League.

Eyüpspor (loan) On 6 August 2023, he joined Eyüpspor on loan for the 2023–24 season in the TFF First League.

Return to Galatasaray after second loan On 13 November 2025, Baltacı was banned from playing for 9 months for his involvement in the 2025 Turkish football betting scandal. He is being remanded in custody, meaning he is in prison.

Gençlerbirliği (loan) On August 22, 2026, he signed a loan agreement with Gençlerbirliği valid until the end of the 2026–27 season.

International career Baltacı is a youth international for Turkey, having played up to the Turkey U21s since 2022.

Betting investigation

As part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, known to the public as the “Football Betting Investigations,” Metehan Baltacı was detained on 5 December 2025 after it was determined that he had placed bets on legal betting sites. On 27 February 2026, an indictment was prepared against him, seeking a prison sentence ranging from 4 to 13 years. Baltacı was released on March 25.

Honours Eyüpspor TFF 1. Lig: 2023–24

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