PLAYER SNAPSHOT: At a Glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Salih Özcan |
| Date of Birth | 11/01/1998 (Age: 28) |
| Place of Birth | Cologne, Germany |
| Nationality | Turkish / German |
| Height | 1.82 m / 5 ft 11 in |
| Weight | 74–75 kg |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Preferred Foot | Right |
| Squad Number | — |
| Current Club | Beşiktaş |
| Previous Clubs | 1. FC Köln, Holstein Kiel (loan), VfL Wolfsburg, Borussia Dortmund |
| International Caps | 32 |
| International Goals | 1 |
| World Cup Appearances | 2026 |
| Contract Until | 2029 |
| Market Value | — |
The Frozen Moment
Los Angeles, California. June 25, 2026. Turkey, the Crescent-Stars, were already eliminated from the World Cup after two defeats. Pride was all that remained. For Salih Özcan, the 28-year-old midfielder from Cologne, the match against the United States was a chance to salvage something from a disappointing tournament.
Özcan started the match, playing the full 90 minutes in central midfield against the co-hosts. Turkey were determined to leave with their heads held high. “We wanted to show our true face in the last match. We believed in ourselves, this team deserves it,” Özcan said after the match.
Turkey secured a 3-2 victory, ending the tournament on a positive note. For Özcan, it was a bittersweet end to a World Cup campaign that had seen him feature in two matches. Just weeks later, he would leave Borussia Dortmund and join Beşiktaş, returning to the country of his heritage for the first time in his career. The World Cup had been a final chapter in his German journey.
Origins
Born on January 11, 1998, in Cologne, Germany, Salih Özcan’s football journey began in his hometown. He developed through the youth ranks at SC West Köln before joining 1. FC Köln’s academy. He made his senior debut for Köln in the Bundesliga in the 2016/17 season.
Özcan represented Germany at multiple youth levels, including the U19, U20, and U21 teams. He was part of the Germany U21 squad that won the 2021 UEFA European Under-21 Championship. However, he ultimately chose to represent Turkey at senior level, making his debut for the Turkish national team in 2022. He has accumulated 32 caps and scored 1 goal for Turkey.
The European Forge
1. FC Köln (2016-2020, 2020-2022):
Özcan developed through Köln’s youth system and made his Bundesliga debut in the 2016/17 season. He had a loan spell at Holstein Kiel in the 2. Bundesliga during the 2019/20 season, making 29 appearances and scoring 5 goals. He returned to Köln and became a key player, making 31 league appearances in the 2021/22 season. In total, he made 62 league appearances for Köln.
Borussia Dortmund (2022-2024):
On July 1, 2022, Özcan signed for Borussia Dortmund. Over two seasons, he made 70 league appearances for the club. He helped Dortmund reach the UEFA Champions League final in the 2023/24 season, making 9 appearances in the competition.
VfL Wolfsburg (Loan, 2025):
In January 2025, Özcan was loaned to VfL Wolfsburg for the remainder of the 2024/25 season. He made 12 league appearances for the club.
Return to Borussia Dortmund & Departure (2025-2026):
Özcan returned to Dortmund for the 2025/26 season but struggled for playing time. He made just 11 Bundesliga appearances and 1 DFB-Pokal appearance, playing a total of only 74 minutes across those 12 matches. His contract with Dortmund expired at the end of the season.
Beşiktaş (2026-Present):
On July 8, 2026, Beşiktaş announced that they had reached a principle agreement with Özcan on a free transfer. He signed a contract until 2029. The move marked his first club outside Germany.
Turkey National Team (2022-Present):
Özcan made his senior debut for Turkey in 2022 and has accumulated 32 caps, scoring 1 goal. He was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made two substitute appearances in the tournament, playing 10 minutes against Australia and starting against the United States, where he played 90 minutes. Turkey were eliminated in the group stage.
The Anatomy of His Game
Salih Özcan is a defensive midfielder known for his work rate, tactical discipline, and ability to break up opposition attacks. Standing at 182 cm, he is a physical presence in the middle of the pitch.
In Possession:
Özcan is a reliable passer who keeps possession ticking over. In the 2025/26 Bundesliga season, he recorded 4 shot assists and 193 ball contacts across limited appearances. He is not a prolific goalscorer, having scored only 2 goals in 177 Bundesliga appearances. He has 1 assist in 11 Bundesliga appearances in 2025/26. He has 0 goals and 0 assists in Champions League appearances. He has scored 1 goal in World Cup qualifying.
Out of Possession:
Özcan’s defensive work is his primary strength. He is a hard-working midfielder who covers ground effectively. His defensive stats in the 2025/26 season include 0 tackles and 0 interceptions in 81 minutes of league football. In the World Cup, he recorded 1 tackle and 4 interceptions in his 90-minute performance against the United States.
Psychological Edge:
Özcan’s career has been defined by resilience and the ability to adapt. He has played for multiple clubs and navigated loan spells and competition for places. His decision to represent Turkey, the country of his heritage, over Germany demonstrates a strong sense of identity. He has spoken of his determination to succeed and his belief in the Turkey team: “We believed in ourselves, this team deserves it.”
The Numbers Game
TABLE A: The Data Snapshot (2025/26 Season & World Cup)
| Competition | Apps (Starts/Subs) | Minutes | Goals | Assists | Cards |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bundesliga | 11 (0/11) | 74 | 0 | 1 | 0Y 0R |
| DFB-Pokal | 1 (0/1) | — | 0 | 0 | — |
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 (1/1) | 100 | 0 | 0 | 0Y 0R |
TABLE B: Career Overview
| Season/Period | Club | League/Competition | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2025/26 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga/DFB-Pokal | 12 | 0 |
| 2024/25 | VfL Wolfsburg | Bundesliga | 12 | 0 |
| 2022-2024 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga/UCL | 70 | 0 |
| 2021/22 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 31 | 0 |
| 2020/21 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 28 | 0 |
| 2019/20 | Holstein Kiel (loan) | 2. Bundesliga | 29 | 5 |
| 2017/18 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 23 | 0 |
| 2016/17 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 13 | 0 |
| TOTAL | — | — | 220+ | 6 |
TABLE C: International Record
| Tournament/Competition | Apps | Goals | Major Honours |
|---|---|---|---|
| FIFA World Cup 2026 | 2 | 0 | Group Stage |
| World Cup Qualifying | 4 | 1 | Qualified |
| Turkey Senior Career | 32 | 1 | — |
TABLE D: Career Milestones
| Year | Achievement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Bundesliga Debut | 1. FC Köln |
| 2021 | U21 European Champion | Germany U21 |
| 2022 | Turkey Debut | Senior international debut |
| 2022 | Borussia Dortmund Transfer | Signed from Köln |
| 2024 | Champions League Finalist | Borussia Dortmund |
| 2025 | VfL Wolfsburg Loan | Short-term loan |
| 2026 | World Cup Appearance | Turkey squad |
| 2026 | Beşiktaş Transfer | Free transfer to Turkish club |
What these figures reveal is a player of significant experience who has played for some of Germany’s biggest clubs. Özcan has accumulated over 220 professional appearances across the Bundesliga and 2. Bundesliga. His 32 caps for Turkey and his World Cup appearances demonstrate his importance to the national team.
The Present Tense
Salih Özcan is 28 years old and entering a new chapter of his career at Beşiktaş following the World Cup.
The Beşiktaş Story:
Özcan joined Beşiktaş on a free transfer after his contract with Borussia Dortmund expired. He signed a contract until 2029. The move marks his first professional club outside Germany and a return to the country of his heritage.
The World Cup Campaign:
Özcan was named in Turkey’s 26-man squad for the 2026 World Cup. He made two appearances in the tournament: a 10-minute substitute appearance against Australia and a 90-minute start against the United States. Turkey were eliminated in the group stage. Özcan spoke of the team’s disappointment and their determination to end the tournament with a win: “We were very sad, we were one of the first teams eliminated. We had to win this match.”
International Record:
Özcan has 32 caps for Turkey and has scored 1 international goal. He has represented Turkey at the 2026 World Cup and in World Cup qualifying.
Beyond the Touchline
Off the pitch, Salih Özcan is a product of Germany’s football system who chose to represent his ancestral homeland. Born in Cologne to Turkish parents, he represented Germany at youth level before committing to Turkey at senior level.
Özcan’s decision to represent Turkey over Germany was a significant moment in his career. He has spoken of his pride in representing his heritage. He has also been a consistent presence for the national team since his debut in 2022.
His move to Beşiktaş marks a return to his roots and a new challenge in a different footballing environment. He has played for several of Germany’s biggest clubs and won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship with Germany in 2021.
The Verdict from the Camp
Vincenzo Montella, Turkey head coach:
Montella named Özcan in Turkey’s 2026 World Cup squad, trusting him as a midfield option.
Salih Özcan, Turkey midfielder:
“We wanted to show our true face in the last match. We believed in ourselves, this team deserves it.”
“We were very sad, we were one of the first teams eliminated. We had to win this match.”
Statistic:
Özcan has 32 caps for Turkey and has scored 1 international goal.
Statistic:
Özcan made 2 appearances at the 2026 World Cup, playing 100 minutes.
Statistic:
Özcan signed a contract with Beşiktaş until 2029 on a free transfer from Borussia Dortmund.
Where Next?
Salih Özcan is 28 years old and entering a new chapter of his career at Beşiktaş. He signed a contract until 2029 and will be a key player for the Turkish giants. His World Cup experience and his familiarity with the Turkish national team setup should help him settle quickly.
For Turkey, Özcan remains a valuable squad player. His experience in the Bundesliga and the Champions League, along with his international pedigree, make him a useful asset for the national team. With 32 caps already, he is expected to continue representing Turkey for years to come.
From Cologne to the World Cup, Salih Özcan’s journey is one of heritage, resilience, and the pursuit of opportunity. The midfielder who won the U21 European Championship with Germany chose to represent his ancestral homeland.
