PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Can Yılmaz Uzun |
| Date of Birth | 11 November 2005 (Age: 20) |
| Place of Birth | Regensburg, Germany |
| Nationality | Turkish (also holds German citizenship) |
| Height | 1.86 m / 6 ft 1 in |
| Weight | 67 kg |
| Position | Attacking Midfielder / Central Midfielder / Left Winger |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | #42 |
| Current Club | Eintracht Frankfurt |
| Previous Clubs | 1. FC Nürnberg |
| International Caps | 8+ |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2029 |
| Market Value | €46.6M |
The Frozen Moment
The opening match against Australia was a bitter blow for Can Uzun and his Turkish teammates. A 2-0 defeat, and Uzun found himself watching from the bench. He didn’t sugar-coat it: “It was a real blow for us.” Yet the 20-year-old Eintracht Frankfurt forward was not one to dwell. “The tournament really starts for us now – and for me personally, too,” he declared, looking ahead rather than backward.
His chance came against Paraguay. Uzun played 30 minutes, earning a 7.2 rating. Turkey fell 1-0 to 10-man Paraguay, a result that mathematically eliminated them. The final match against the United States was a consolation. Uzun played just 6 minutes, but Turkey claimed a 3-2 victory.
For Uzun, his first World Cup was a test of character. He had entered the tournament with the weight of a nation’s hopes—part of a gifted generation that had ended Turkey’s 24-year World Cup drought. The talent was never in doubt. But at 20, Uzun learned a hard lesson: talent alone does not guarantee success.
Origins
Can Uzun was born on 11 November 2005 in Regensburg, Bavaria, Germany, to a Turkish family originally from Rize. He holds both German and Turkish citizenship.
At the age of seven, Uzun began playing football in the youth academy of SSV Jahn Regensburg, where a young coach would later describe him as a boy with excellent technique, a fine shot, and fierce ambition who always wanted to win. He later moved to FC Ingolstadt’s youth setup before transferring to 1. FC Nürnberg in 2019.
His father, Özcan Uzun, was the driving force behind his development. Working as a bus driver for Regensburg Municipality, he would drive his son up to an hour and a half to training in Ingolstadt and Nürnberg. The sacrifices paid off. When his father later reflected on the broken windows Can caused playing football at home, he quipped that the damage was “a good investment.”
Uzun’s closest footballing relationship is with Kenan Yıldız. The two were born in Regensburg in the same year, played together on local pitches and in the SSV Jahn Regensburg youth academy. “Kenan Yıldız and I have been friends since we were 5 years old,” Uzun said. They grew up together, and now they are at a World Cup together.
The Professional Forge
1. FC Nürnberg (2019-2024):
Uzun joined Nürnberg in 2019. His breakthrough came in the 2023-24 season, when he scored 16 goals in 30 appearances in the 2. Bundesliga—a record for an 18-year-old in that division. He also became the youngest player to score a hat-trick in the DFB-Pokal. His stock soared, and Nürnberg sold him for a club-record €11 million.
Eintracht Frankfurt (2024-Present):
Uzun joined Frankfurt in July 2024 on a contract until 2029. In his debut Bundesliga season (2024-25), he made 20 appearances (6 starts), scoring 4 goals. The 2025-26 season was a breakthrough. He made 21 league appearances (8 goals, 4 assists), and contributed 2 goals in 5 Champions League appearances. He started the season strongly, scoring in each of Frankfurt’s first five league matches before injuries disrupted his rhythm. He featured across 28 matches total, scoring 10 goals and providing 6 assists.
International Career
Youth & Senior Debut:
Uzun was courted by both Germany and Turkey. Despite persistent offers from Germany, he chose Turkey. “I listened to my heart,” he said. “I am Turkish. My parents are also Turkish. That’s why I chose Turkey… I’m very happy to be here because I feel Turkish.” He made his senior debut on 22 March 2024.
2026 World Cup Campaign:
Uzun was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made three appearances: 30 minutes against Paraguay, 6 minutes against the USA, and unused as a substitute against Australia. Turkey were eliminated in the group stage. Coach Vincenzo Montella expressed his faith in Uzun: “He’s one of our young talents… Everyone must know how much we believe in him.”
The Anatomy of His Game
Uzun is a right-footed attacking midfielder who excels at creating space for himself, unleashing efforts from distance, and playing an intelligent short-passing game. He is most comfortable operating in the left half-space as either a No.10 or No.8, and combines a sharp footballing IQ with intelligent movement.
In Possession:
Uzun scores goals and provides assists. In the 2025-26 Bundesliga season, he recorded 8 goals and 4 assists in 1,164 minutes. His shot map shows 25% of his shots on target. In the Champions League, his shot accuracy was a remarkable 66.7%.
Out of Possession:
Uzun is described as “very open and eager to learn” by his coaches. He keeps his position well and pops up in the spaces he is asked to occupy.
Psychological Edge:
“Never shy to pull the trigger,” Uzun possesses the confidence and composure to perform on the big stage. He has shown maturity by blocking out transfer speculation to focus on the World Cup.
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: 2025/26 Season Snapshot (Eintracht Frankfurt)
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists | Minutes | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 21 | 8 | 4 | 1,164 | 7.13 |
| DFB-Pokal | 2 | 0 | 0 | — | — |
| UEFA Champions League | 5 | 2 | 0 | 238 | — |
| TOTAL | 28 | 10 | 4 | 1,402 | — |
TABLE B: Career (League Only)
| Club | Period | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1. FC Nürnberg | 2022-2024 | 33 | 16 |
| Eintracht Frankfurt | 2024-Present | 41 | 12 |
| TOTAL | — | 74 | 28 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 3 | 0 | — |
| Turkey Senior Career | 8+ | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Achievements
| Honour | Details |
|---|---|
| 2. Bundesliga Record | 16 goals as an 18-year-old (2023/24) |
| Youngest DFB-Pokal Hat-Trick Scorer | 2023/24 |
| Nürnberg Record Sale | €11M |
| Market Value Peak | €52.3M (March 2026) |
What these figures reveal is a player who has progressed at an astonishing pace. His 16-goal season at 18 in the 2. Bundesliga was a record, and he has since established himself at a higher level. His 10 goals in 28 appearances across all competitions in 2025-26 underline his attacking quality. At 20, he already has a market value of €46.6M, peaking at €52.3M.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Can Uzun is a young man of conviction. He chose Turkey over Germany, despite persistent offers from the country of his birth, stating simply: “Because I feel Turkish.” This decision was a matter of the heart, not convenience. His family’s roots in Rize and his father’s sacrifices were central to that identity.
His friendship with Kenan Yıldız, a friendship forged in Regensburg and now on display at a World Cup, is a story of shared ambition. The pair are part of a generation that has taken Turkey back to the global stage. Uzun is also a player who knows when to shut out the noise: he halted all transfer negotiations during the World Cup to focus on his country.
The Verdict from the Camp
Vincenzo Montella, Turkey Head Coach:
“Can Uzun is a very good football player. He’s one of our young talents… Everyone must know how much we believe in him.”
Dino Toppmöller, Former Frankfurt Head Coach:
“No matter who we are playing, Can always has the ability to score or provide assists for others. He fits in well with the group. He’s very open and eager to learn.”
Can Uzun:
“I am Turkish. My parents are also Turkish. That’s why I chose Turkey. I’m very happy to be here because I feel Turkish.”
Where Next?
Can Uzun’s future is a subject of intense speculation. Galatasaray have made him their marquee summer target, with coach Okan Buruk confirming the club’s interest. The Istanbul giants have reportedly offered up to €35 million for the 20-year-old, but Frankfurt are holding out for as much as €60 million. It is a saga that will likely define the summer transfer window after the World Cup. Frankfurt’s sporting leadership is believed to be supportive of his decision to block out talks during the tournament, a move that could increase his value further.
From Regensburg to Frankfurt, and from the 2. Bundesliga to the World Cup, Can Uzun’s journey is a story of talent, conviction, and rapid ascent. His family’s sacrifices, his bond with Kenan Yıldız, and his choice to represent Turkey have shaped a young man ready for the world stage.
