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Germany Hakan Çalhanoğlu is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder, recognized for his technical ability and significant contributions to top European clubs and the Turkish national team.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu partnered with the award-winning Web3 mobile game My Lovely Planet to launch the 'Çalhanoğlu Forest' reforestation project in Kuşadası, Turkey. The initiative aims to plant trees in areas affected by wildfires, combining gaming achievements with real-world environmental impact.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu is the face of Rexona Turkey, an official sponsor of the UEFA EURO 2024, demonstrating the brand's association with top-tier football events.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu was born in Mannheim, Germany, on February 8, 1994, to Turkish parents from Bayburt. His football journey began in Germany, where he developed his skills at SV Waldhof Mannheim’s youth setup before joining Karlsruher SC in 2009 at the age of 15. This period was instrumental in his early development, leading to his professional debut. In 2012, Çalhanoğlu signed with Hamburger SV, although he was loaned back to Karlsruher SC for the 2012-2013 season. During this loan spell, he played a crucial role in the team’s 3. Liga title triumph, scoring 17 goals in 36 appearances and showcasing his potential as an attacking midfielder. His impressive performances attracted further attention.
Çalhanoğlu’s career progressed rapidly. He made his Bundesliga debut for Hamburger SV in August 2013, scoring 11 goals in 32 matches during his single full season with the club. His strong displays led to a €14.5 million transfer to Bayer Leverkusen in 2014. Over three seasons with Leverkusen, he established himself as a key player, known for his free-kick ability, scoring 28 goals in 115 official appearances. A significant turning point in his career came in 2017 when he moved to Serie A, signing with AC Milan for an initial €20 million. He spent four seasons with AC Milan, making 135 appearances and scoring 22 goals. In 2021, he made a notable transfer to city rivals Inter Milan on a free transfer, where he quickly became an integral part of the squad.
At Inter Milan, Çalhanoğlu continued to excel, securing two Coppa Italia and three Supercoppa Italiana trophies by 2023. He played a key role in Inter Milan winning the Serie A title in the 2023-2024 season and reached the UEFA Champions League final twice, in 2022-23 and 2024-25. Internationally, Çalhanoğlu chose to represent Turkey, making his senior debut in 2013. He has participated in three UEFA European Championships (2016, 2020, and 2024) and became the captain of the Turkish national team in March 2022. By October 2025, he had made his 100th international appearance, scoring 21 goals for his country. His consistent performance and leadership have solidified his position as a prominent figure in international football.
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