Mert Hakan Yandaş (born 19 August 1994) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.
Professional career
Early career
Born in Bursa, he lost his father when he was only 9 years old. His father was also an amateur football player and in an interview, he said that he grew up in a family that loved football and that he promised his father to be a football player when he was little.[2]
He spent part of his youth in Bursa Güven and Yeşil Bursa and his first season as a senior in amateur football.[3] Mert Hakan made his first professional contract with Altınordu.
In the 2014–15 season, he loaned to Tire 1922. He made a very strong start with new coach Taha Evke in there and became one of the key players who took more responsibility on the field,[3] scored 13 goals in 25 TFF Third League matches. He signed with them a permanent contract for the 2015–16 season, where has been top goalscorer with 21 goals (in 34 matches) in 2015–16 TFF Third League season.[2]
In the 2016–17 season, he transferred to TFF Second League side Menemen Belediyespor where he played with Serkan Çalık, Erman Kılıç, Gökhan Ünal and İbrahim Dağaşan.[3]
Sivasspor
Mert Hakan Yandaş joined Süper Lig side Sivasspor on 14 July 2017, after a couple successful seasons[3] in the lower Turkish leagues with Tirespor 1922 and Menemen Belediyespor.[4]
He made his professional debut for Sivasspor in a 2–0 Süper Lig win over Yeni Malatyaspor on 19 August 2017.[5] On 21 September 2017, he scored his first goal with the team against Bugsaşspor in a 3-0 win Turkish Cup match.
Fenerbahçe
On 11 August 2020, he transferred to Süper Lig powerhouse Fenerbahçe on a free transfer, signed four years deal.[6] On 21 September 2020, he made his debut in a 0-0 tie against Hatayspor in 2020–21 Süper Lig season. On 21 November 2020, he scored his first goal against Gençlerbirliği in Süper Lig match, netting the first goal in a 5-1 away game victory.
In the 2021–22 season, he became vice-captain of the team after Altay Bayındır and Mesut Özil.[7]
On 16 September 2021, he made his continental debut in his career against Eintracht Frankfurt in UEFA Europa League away game which finished 1-1.[8]
On 4 November 2021, he captained first time of the team in UEFA Europa League match, 3-0 win against Royal Antwerp and also scored a goal from outside the box.[7]
On 23 August 2023, he made his 100th appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahçe against Twente in 5-1 UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round victory.[9]
On 21 June 2024, Fenerbahçe extended his contract for two years.[10]
On 16 February 2025, he made his 100th Süper Lig appearances for Fenerbahçe against Kasımpaşa in a 3-1 home win.[11][12]
International career
Without any youth international experience, Yandaş made his debut with the Turkey national football team in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League loss to Hungary on 3 September 2020.[13]
Playing style
Yandaş is a modern midfielder known for his strong passing and shots from outside the box. He is known for his good technique. He plays mainly as an attacking or a central midfielder but can also operate in several other positions and has been used as a deeper creative midfield position and on occasion, a box-to-box role, winger or second striker.[3] He is often described by pundits as modern day advanced playmakers due to his technique, skill, athleticism, work-rate off the ball, vision, crossing accuracy, wide range of passing, and powerful long-range shooting ability with either foot.[14]
His nickname is Commandante to his combative nature and dominance on the field.[15]
Career statistics
Club
- As of 20 February 2025.
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Yeşil Bursa | 2012–13 | TFF Third League | 17 | 1 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 17 | 1 | ||
| Altınordu | 2013–14 | TFF Second League | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | — | 4 | 0 | ||
| Tire 1922 (loan) | 2014–15 | TFF Third League | 25 | 13 | 1 | 1 | — | — | 26 | 14 | ||
| Tire 1922 | 2015–16 | TFF Third League | 34[a] | 21 | 2 | 0 | — | — | 36 | 21 | ||
| Total | 59 | 34 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 62 | 35 | ||
| Menemen Belediyespor | 2016–17 | TFF Second League | 35[b] | 12 | 7 | 4 | — | — | 42 | 16 | ||
| Sivasspor | 2017–18 | Süper Lig | 22 | 1 | 4 | 2 | — | — | 26 | 3 | ||
| 2018–19 | Süper Lig | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | — | 1[c] | 1 | 10 | 1 | ||
| 2019–20 | Süper Lig | 32 | 6 | 5 | 4 | — | — | 37 | 10 | |||
| Total | 63 | 7 | 9 | 6 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 73 | 14 | ||
| Fenerbahçe | 2020–21 | Süper Lig | 34 | 4 | 4 | 0 | — | — | 38 | 4 | ||
| 2021–22 | Süper Lig | 24 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 7[d] | 2 | — | 33 | 2 | ||
| 2022–23 | Süper Lig | 15 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 4[e] | 0 | — | 24 | 0 | ||
| 2023–24 | Süper Lig | 16 | 2 | 3 | 1 | 8[f] | 0 | 0 | 0 | 27 | 3 | |
| 2024–25 | Süper Lig | 11 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 10[g] | 0 | — | 23 | 1 | ||
| Total | 100 | 6 | 16 | 2 | 29 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 145 | 10 | ||
| Career total | 278 | 60 | 35 | 13 | 29 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 343 | 76 | ||
- ^ Two appearances in TFF 3. Lig Play-offs
- ^ Two appearances and two goals in TFF 2. Lig Play-offs
- ^ Appearance in U21 Ligi
- ^ Five appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa League, two appearances and one goal in UEFA Europa Conference League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Europa League
- ^ Appearances in UEFA Conference League
- ^ Three appearances in UEFA Champions League, six appearances in UEFA Europa League
International
- As of match played 3 September 2020.[16]
| National team | Year | Apps | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Turkey | |||
| 2020 | 1 | 0 | |
| Total | 1 | 0 | |
Honours
Altınordu
- TFF 2. Lig: 2013–14[17]
Fenerbahçe
References
- ^ "Mert Hakan Yandaş". fenerbahce,org. Retrieved 11 November 2022.
- ^ a b "Mert Hakan Yandaş ilk kez Skorer'e açıkladı! Transfer itirafı: Teklif aldım". milliyet.com.tr (in Turkish). 1 January 2023.
- ^ a b c d e "Mert Hakan Yandaş: "Sivasspor serüvenimin bittiğini sanmıştım!"". TFF.org (in Turkish). 1 May 2020. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ "Mert Hakan Yandaş Sivasspor´umuzda". sivasspor.org.tr (in Turkish).
- ^ "Demir Grup Sivasspor - Evkur Yeni Malatyaspor (Maç Detayları)". www.tff.org (in Turkish).
- ^ "Mert Hakan Yandaş Fenerbahcemiz'de". fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 11 August 2020. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ a b "Fenerbahçe'de Mert Hakan Yandaş kaptanlık bandını taktı, golünü attı". ajansspor.com (in Turkish). 4 November 2021. Retrieved 27 November 2024.
- ^ "Eintracht Frankfurt 1-1 Fenerbahçe". fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 16 September 2021. Retrieved 6 February 2025.
- ^ "Mert Hakan Yandaş, Fenerbahçe formasıyla 100. maçına çıktı". fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 23 August 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ "Bilgilendirme". fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 21 June 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ "Fenerbahçe 3-1 Kasımpaşa". fenerbahce.org (in Turkish). 16 February 2025. Retrieved 16 February 2025.
- ^ "Mert Hakan Yandaş 'dalya' dedi!". haberturk.com (in Turkish). 16 February 2025. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ "Turkey vs. Hungary - 3 September 2020 - Soccerway". uk.soccerway.com.
- ^ "Mert Hakan Yandaş kendini buluyor". BursadaBugun.com (in Turkish). 26 November 2024.
- ^ "Jose Mourinho'dan Mert Hakan Yandaş'a: "Komutan"". Goal.com (in Turkish). 26 June 2024. Retrieved 26 November 2024.
- ^ "Mert Yandaş". European Football. Retrieved 30 January 2022.
- ^ "Altınordu şampiyonluk kupasını aldı". TFF.org (in Turkish). 4 May 2014. Retrieved 17 February 2025.
- ^ "Cumhuriyetimizin 100. Yılında Türkiye Kupası Fenerbahçemiz'in". fenerbahce.org. 11 June 2023. Retrieved 11 June 2023.
External links
- Official website
- Mert Hakan Yandaş at the Turkish Football Federation
- Mert Hakan Yandaş at Soccerway
- Mert Hakan Yandaş at www.mackolik.com (in Turkish)
- Mert Hakan Yandaş at www.fenerbahce.org (in Turkish)