The Turkish defender who shattered records before his twentieth birthday
In short: In May 2018, Ozan Kabak became the first player born in the 2000s to compete in the Süper Lig. From the Galatasaray academy to the Champions League, his rapid ascent through Europe's top leagues has made him a significant figure for the Turkish national team.
Born in Ankara on 25 March 2000, Kabak's footballing journey began in earnest when he joined the Galatasaray youth academy in 2011. His ascent occurred rapidly; a 2–0 triumph against Yeni Malatyaspor on 12 May 2018 saw his professional Galatasaray debut. As the inaugural player born during the 2000s to feature in the Süper Lig, he represented a fresh wave of talent.
His impact in the Bundesliga followed shortly after. While playing for VfB Stuttgart, he scored twice in a 5–1 win against Hannover 96 on 3 March 2019. At just 18 years, 11 months, and 7 days old, he became the youngest Turkish centre-back to achieve such a feat and the third-youngest player in Stuttgart's history to score twice in a single match. This performance helped propel him to Schalke 04, where he joined on 30 June 2019 for a fee of €15 million.
Kabak's career has also seen him navigate the highest levels of European competition. While on loan at Liverpool throughout the 2020–21 season, he was the first Turkish footballer to play in the UEFA Champions League for an English side. Despite various moves, including a stint at Norwich City and a move to TSG Hoffenheim in July 2022, he remains a vital part of the Turkish national setup. He has represented the senior team since his debut against Andorra in November 2019 and was selected for the 2026 FIFA World Cup squad.
However, his path has not been without controversy. In September 2020, while playing for Schalke 04, he received a red card and a €15,000 fine for spitting at Werder Bremen's Ludwig Augustinsson, an incident he later described as an accident.
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