Uğurcan Çakır

Uğurcan Çakır (born 5 April 1996) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Süper Lig club Galatasaray and the Turkey national team.

Club career

Trabzonspor Çakır made his senior debut for Trabzonspor in a 1–0 loss to Rabotnicki Skopje during the qualifying rounds of the UEFA Europa League. He later played three matches in the Turkish Cup, keeping two clean sheets. After these appearances, he established himself as the club's second-choice goalkeeper, remaining on the bench until January without making any appearances in the Super Lig.

Like many young Trabzonspor goalkeepers, Çakır was loaned to the club's local affiliate 1461 Trabzon on 15 January 2016. He made his senior debut for the club in a 2–1 win over Yeni Malatyaspor. He continued as 1461 Trabzon's first-choice goalkeeper for three additional appearances in the TFF First League, conceding seven goals without keeping a clean sheet. He later suffered an ankle injury that kept him out for two months. After returning, he played four more matches but was eventually dropped due to underwhelming performances. His one-year loan spell was cut short, and he returned to Trabzonspor on 30 June 2016.

Following his return, Çakır did not make any appearances for Trabzonspor in any competition, largely due to his performances during the previous loan spell with 1461 Trabzon. He was named on the bench for two Super Lig matches and most Turkish Cup fixtures.

Çakır eventually made his Trabzonspor debut at the age of 21 on 22 September 2017 against Alanyaspor. He came on at halftime after first-choice goalkeeper Esteban Alvarado was forced off with an injury. Trabzonspor had been leading 3–1 at halftime but ultimately lost the match 4–3 after two penalties were awarded to the opposition. Despite the defeat, Çakır impressed manager Ersun Yanal, which led to him starting the final five matches of the Super Lig season. During that period he conceded twelve goals and kept one clean sheet, continuing his development as a young goalkeeper.

Çakır later reaffirmed his role as the second-choice goalkeeper for Trabzonspor. However, after first-choice goalkeeper Onur Kivrak retired on 16 January 2019, he became the club's primary goalkeeper. He went on to play eighteen matches in the Super Lig, conceding twenty goals and recording two clean sheets.

He won his first trophy with the club by lifting the 2019–20 Turkish Cup. He was named as club's captain ahead of the 2020–21 season following the departure of José Sosa. He later achieved the 2021–22 Süper Lig title, which marked Trabzonspor's first league championship in 38 years.

Galatasaray On 2 September 2025, Galatasaray announced that they reached an agreement with Trabzonspor for the transfer of Çakır for €27.5 million transfer fee. Çakır, who signed a five-year contract with Galatasaray, will receive €2.5 million of guaranteed money and bonuses annually. On 13 September, he made his debut with the team against Eyüpspor with a clean sheet in a 2–0 away Süper Lig win. On 18 September, he made his continental debut with the team against Eintracht Frankfurt in a 5–1 UEFA Champions League away defeat.

International career Çakır made his debut for the Turkey national team on 30 May 2019, in a friendly against Greece, as a starter.

In June 2021, he was included in the list of 26 Turkish players to compete for UEFA Euro 2020. On 7 June 2024, he was named in the final list of 26 players selected by Vincenzo Montella to compete for UEFA Euro 2024.

On 2 June 2026, Çakır was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Career statistics Club

International

Honours Trabzonspor Süper Lig: 2021–22 Turkish Cup: 2019–20 Turkish Super Cup: 2020, 2022

Galatasaray Süper Lig: 2025–26

Individual Süper Lig Best Goalkepper: 2019–20 Süper Lig Team of the Season: 2020–21