Mertcan Ayhan

Last updated
Mertcan Ayhan
Personal information
Date of birth (2006-09-08) 8 September 2006 (age 18)
Place of birth Gelsenkirchen, Germany
Height 1.90 m (6 ft 3 in)
Position(s) Centre-back
Team information
Current team
Schalke 04
Number 43
Youth career
2010–2014 TuS Rotthausen
2014–2025 Schalke 04
Senior career*
YearsTeamApps(Gls)
2025– Schalke 04 1 (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 20 August 2025
‡ 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.

Contents

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 17 August 2025 [1]
Appearances and goals by club, season and competition
ClubSeasonLeagueCupTotal
DivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Schalke 04 2025–26 2. Bundesliga 101020
Schalke 04 II 2025–26 Regionalliga West 1010
Career total201030

References

  1. 1 2 Mertcan Ayhan at WorldFootball.net
  2. "Mertcan Ayhan signs long-term contract". FC Schalke 04. 21 July 2025.
  3. 1 2 "Abwehrjuwel bleibt - Schalke bindet Mertcan Ayhan". Sky Sport (in German). 21 July 2025.
  4. "S04 defeat Hertha BSC 2-1 to kick off the new season". FC Schalke 04. 1 August 2025.
  5. Mertcan Ayhan at the Turkish Football Federation