Mertcan Ayhan
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Date of birth | 8 September 2006 | ||
| Place of birth | Gelsenkirchen, Germany | ||
| Height | 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in) | ||
| Position | Centre-back | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Schalke 04 | ||
| Number | 43 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2010–2014 | TuS Rotthausen | ||
| 2014–2025 | Schalke 04 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2025– | Schalke 04 | 16 | (0) |
| 2025 | Schalke 04 II | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | Turkey U17 | 18 | (3) |
| 2023 | Turkey U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2024– | Turkey U19 | 5 | (1) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 1 February 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 20 August 2025 | |||
Mertcan Ayhan (born 8 September 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for 2. Bundesliga club Schalke 04.[1] Born in Germany, he represents Turkey at international youth level.
Club career
Ayhan signed a professional contract with Schalke 04 on 21 July 2025, lasting until June 2028.[2][3] He made his first team debut for the club in the 2. Bundesliga in a 2–1 home win against Hertha BSC on 1 August 2025.[4]
International career
Ayhan has represented Turkey at under-17, under-18 and under-19 level.[5]
Personal life
Ayhan is the younger brother of Turkish international player Kaan Ayhan, who also started his professional football career at Schalke 04.[3]
Career statistics
- As of match played 31 January 2026[1]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Schalke 04 | 2025–26 | 2. Bundesliga | 16 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 0 |
| Schalke 04 II | 2025–26 | Regionalliga West | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 17 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 19 | 0 | ||
References
- ^ a b Mertcan Ayhan at WorldFootball.net
- ^ "Mertcan Ayhan signs long-term contract". FC Schalke 04. 21 July 2025.
- ^ a b "Abwehrjuwel bleibt - Schalke bindet Mertcan Ayhan". Sky Sport (in German). 21 July 2025.
- ^ "S04 defeat Hertha BSC 2-1 to kick off the new season". FC Schalke 04. 1 August 2025.
- ^ Mertcan Ayhan at the Turkish Football Federation
External links
- Profile at the Schalke 04 website
- Mertcan Ayhan at Soccerway
- Mertcan Ayhan at kicker (in German)