Münir Levent Mercan (born 10 December 2000) is a German footballer who plays as a defender for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.[1]
Career
Early career
Before joining FC Schalke 04 Academy in 2016, Mercan played at youth level for various clubs in the Ruhr region, such as PSV Recklinghausen (2005-2010),[2] VfB Hüls (2010-2011), VfL Bochum (2011-2012) and Rot-Weiss Essen (2012-2016).[3]
Schalke
Mercan made his professional debut for Schalke 04 in the DFB-Pokal on 10 August 2019. He came on as a substitute in the 61st minute and scored the fourth goal in the 73rd minute in a 5–0 away win against SV Drochtersen/Assel.[4]
On 22 August 2019, he signed his first professional contract with Schalke until June 2023.[5][6]
Fatih Karagümrük
On 16 August 2021, he agreed to join Süper Lig club Fatih Karagümrük on a season-long loan.[7] On 5 July 2022, the move was made permanent.[8]
On 11 September 2021, he made his Süper Lig debut against Adana Demirspor in a late substitute at 81st mins, they won 4-0. On 1 December 2021, he made his Turkish Cup debut against Sarıyer in fourth leg match which they won 2-0.
Fenerbahçe
On 21 June 2024, Mercan transferred to Fenerbahçe SK for an undisclosed fee on a 4-year deal.[9] He made his first unoffical appearance in a friendly match against Romanian side, FC Petrolul Ploiești on 29 June 2024. He entered the game as a substitute, entering the game at the 46th minute replacing Luan Peres.
On 25 August 2024, he made his debut in a Süper Lig match against Rizespor in a 5-0 away win.[10]
On 5 January 2025, he made his first appearance as a starter on a home match against Hatayspor as a left centre-back.[11]
International
Mercan began his youth international career with Germany, appeared for the under-19 and under-20 teams. On 16 APril 2019, he made his international debut with Germany U19 against Denmark U19 in a friendly match, Germany lose 5-0. On 13 October 2019, he played with Germany U20 against Switzerland U20 (away win 1-0) and on 18 November 2019, he played against Portugal U20 (away win 2-0) in UEFA U20 Elite League matches.
Style of play
Mercan is left-footed and continue his career as defender, usually as a left-sided full-back or wing-back but even he started his career as a number ten he is now deployed as a box-to-box center midfielder, or even on the left wing and at centre-back.[12]
Personal life
Born in Germany, Mercan is of Turkish descent.[13]
Career statistics
- As of 16 February 2025.[1]
| Club | Season | League | National cup[a] | Europe | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Schalke 04 | ||||||||||||
| 2018–19 | Bundesliga | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6[b] | 1 | 27[c] | 6 | 33 | 7 | |
| 2019–20 | Bundesliga | 5 | 0 | 1 | 1 | — | 5[c] | 0 | 11 | 1 | ||
| 2020–21 | Bundesliga | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10[c] | 1 | 11 | 1 | ||
| Total | 6 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 6 | 1 | 42 | 7 | 55 | 9 | ||
| Fatih Karagümrük (loan) | 2021–22 | Süper Lig | 18 | 0 | 4 | 1 | — | — | 22 | 1 | ||
| Fatih Karagümrük | 2022–23 | Süper Lig | 29 | 2 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 32 | 2 | ||
| 2023–24 | Süper Lig | 36 | 1 | 3 | 0 | — | — | 39 | 1 | |||
| Total | 83 | 3 | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 93 | 4 | ||
| Fenerbahçe | 2024–25 | Süper Lig | 8 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 10 | 0 | |
| Career total | 97 | 3 | 13 | 2 | 6 | 1 | 15 | 1 | 158 | 9 | ||
- ^ Includes Turkish Cup and DFB-Pokal
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Youth League
- ^ a b c Appearances in Regionalliga West
References
- ^ a b "Levent Mercan". WorldFootball.net. Retrieved 11 August 2019.
- ^ "Levent Mercan Profile at Kicker.de". Kicker.de (in German). Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ "Profivertrag für Schalke-Talent Levent Mercan". BundesLiga.com (in German). 22 August 2019.
- ^ "David Wagner era begins with a convincing 5-0 win". Schalke04.de. 10 August 2019.
- ^ "Levent Mercan signs first professional contract". Schalke04.de. 22 August 2019.
- ^ "Levent Mercan erhält Profivertrag bis 30. Juni 2023". Schalke04.de (in German). 22 August 2019.
- ^ "Levent Mercan joins Fatih Karagümrük Spor". Schalke04.de. 16 August 2021.
- ^ "Levent Mercan joins Fatih Karagümrük SK on a permanent basis". Schalke04.de. 5 July 2022.
- ^ "Bilgilendirme". Fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 21 June 2024.
- ^ "Çaykur Rizespor 0-5 Fenerbahçe". Fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 25 August 2024.
- ^ "Fenerbahçe'de Levent Mercan ilk kez ilk 11'de!". 5 January 2025.
- ^ "Levent Mercan: Fenerbahçe'de olmaktan dolayı gurur duyuyorum". Fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 26 June 2024.
- ^ "Levent Mercan'dan 4 yıllık imza". CNNTurk.com.
External links
- Munir Mercan at DFB (also available in German)
- Münir Levent Mercan at kicker (in German)
- Münir-Levent Mercan – UEFA competition record (archive)
- Levent Mercan (Münir Levent Mercan) at Bundesliga
- Münir Levent Mercan on Instagram
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