Mertcan Ayhan
Turkish footballer (born 2006)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Mertcan Ayhan (born 8 September 2006) is a professional footballer who plays as a centre-back for Bundesliga club Schalke 04.[1] Born in Germany, he represents Turkey at international youth level.
Date of birth
8 September 2006
Place of birth
Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Height
1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position
Centre-back
| 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 | 27 | (0) |
| 2025 | Schalke 04 II | 1 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2022–2023 | Turkey U17 | 18 | (3) |
| 2023 | Turkey U18 | 3 | (0) |
| 2024–2025 | Turkey U19 | 5 | (1) |
| 2026– | Turkey U21 | 1 | (0) |
|
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 19 May 2026 ‡ National team caps and goals as of 1 April 2026 | |||
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, under-19 and under-21 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 17 May 2026[1]
| Club | Season | League | DFB-Pokal | Total | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Schalke 04 | 2025–26 | 2. Bundesliga | 27 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 29 | 0 |
| Schalke 04 II | 2025–26 | Regionalliga West | 1 | 0 | — | 1 | 0 | |
| Career total | 28 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 30 | 0 | ||
Honours
Schalke 04
