History of Hakan Çalhanoğlu in Timeline

Hakan Çalhanoğlu is a professional footballer, currently playing as a midfielder for Inter Milan in Serie A. Born in Germany, he represents the Turkish national team, where he also serves as the captain. Known for his set-piece abilities and playmaking skills, Çalhanoğlu has become a key player for both club and country.

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Full Timeline Career & Achievements

February 1994: Hakan Çalhanoğlu's Birth

In February 1994, Hakan Çalhanoğlu was born in Germany. He is a professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Serie A club Inter Milan and represents Turkey internationally.

Others born on this day/year

2003: First Turk in Serie A

In 2003, Emre Belözoğlu was the last Turk to net in Serie A.

2010: Starts career at Karlsruher SC

In 2010, Çalhanoğlu began his professional career at Karlsruher SC, a German second division club.

2011: Breach of Contract

In 2011, Çalhanoğlu received €100,000 from Trabzonspor after agreeing to sign with them but later extended his contract with Karslruher.

February 2012: Promotion to Karlsruher SC First Team

In February 2012, Çalhanoğlu was promoted to the first team of Karlsruher SC in the 2. Bundesliga.

August 2013: Hamburg and Bundesliga Debut

In August 2013, Çalhanoğlu made his debut for Hamburg and in the Bundesliga in a 3–3 draw against Schalke 04, and later that month, he scored his first goals for the club in a 4–0 win over Eintracht Braunschweig.

September 2013: Senior International Debut

On 6 September 2013, Çalhanoğlu made his senior international debut for Turkey in a World Cup qualifier against Andorra.

October 2013: Gun Incident with Gökhan Töre

In October 2013, Çalhanoğlu and Ömer Toprak were threatened at gunpoint by Gökhan Töre and an armed friend, leading to tension within the national team.

December 2013: Playmaker destined for the top

In December 2013, Talksport praised Çalhanoğlu, calling him "a playmaker destined for the top", highlighting his dedication and passing ability.

2013: Senior debut for Turkey

In 2013, Çalhanoğlu made his senior debut for the Turkey national team.

2013: FIFA U-20 World Cup

In 2013, Çalhanoğlu played for Turkey at the FIFA U-20 World Cup on home soil, where they reached the last 16.

February 2014: Contract Extension with Hamburg and Free Kick Goal

In February 2014, Çalhanoğlu signed a two-year contract extension with Hamburg, keeping him at the club until 2018. That month, he also scored a notable 41-yard free kick against Borussia Dortmund.

May 2014: First International Start

On 25 May 2014, Çalhanoğlu made his first start for Turkey in a friendly match against the Republic of Ireland.

July 2014: Transfer to Bayer Leverkusen

On July 4, 2014, Çalhanoğlu transferred from Hamburg to Bayer Leverkusen for a fee of €14.5 million, signing a five-year contract. This transfer was marked by some controversy.

October 2014: Gökhan Töre returns to national team

In October 2014, Gökhan Töre returned to the national team, when both Çalhanoğlu and Toprak were injured.

2014: Debut for Bayer Leverkusen and Golden Boy Award Nomination

In 2014, Çalhanoğlu debuted for Bayer Leverkusen and was later nominated for the 2014 Golden Boy Award.

2014: Moves to Bayer Leverkusen

In 2014, Çalhanoğlu transferred to Bayer Leverkusen for €14.5 million after playing for Hamburger SV.

February 2015: Champions League Goal vs. Atlético Madrid

In February 2015, Çalhanoğlu scored the only goal in Leverkusen's Champions League victory against Atlético Madrid.

March 2015: First International Goal

In March 2015, Çalhanoğlu scored his first international goal in a friendly match against Luxembourg.

June 2015: Reconciliation with Töre

In June 2015, Çalhanoğlu and Töre reconciled, resolving the past conflict.

August 2015: Potential Fit for Liverpool or Tottenham

In August 2015, Owen Hargreaves suggested that Çalhanoğlu's style of play would suit Liverpool or Tottenham Hotspur.

May 2016: Scores Against England and Euro Squad Selection

In May 2016, Çalhanoğlu became the first Turk to score against England in a friendly. Later that month, he was selected for the UEFA Euro 2016 squad.

2016: UEFA European Championship

In 2016, Çalhanoğlu was part of the Turkey squad at the UEFA European Championship.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016 Qualifying Goal

On 10 October 2015, Çalhanoğlu scored his first competitive goal for Turkey, helping them secure a 2-0 win against the Czech Republic in the UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying event.

2016: Goal against CSKA Moscow

On 14 September 2016, Çalhanoğlu opened his 2016–17 goalscoring account in the 2–2 home draw against CSKA Moscow in a Champions League group stage game, marking the 50th goal in his senior club career.

2016: UEFA Euro 2016

Çalhanoğlu was part of the Turkey squad at the UEFA European Championship.

January 2017: Support for Recep Tayyip Erdoğan

In January 2017, Hakan Çalhanoğlu posted a video to Twitter supporting Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan ahead of the 2017 Turkish constitutional referendum, leading to discussions with Bayer Leverkusen.

February 2017: FIFA Ban

In February 2017, Çalhanoğlu received a four-month ban from FIFA for a breach of contract related to his time at Karlsruher FC.

July 2017: Signs with A.C. Milan

On July 3, 2017, Çalhanoğlu signed a four-year contract with Serie A club A.C. Milan for an initial fee of €20 million. He was assigned the number 10 jersey.

2017: Marriage to Sinem Gündoğdu

In 2017, Hakan Çalhanoğlu married his childhood sweetheart Sinem Gündoğdu in Mannheim.

2017: Signs for Milan

In 2017, Çalhanoğlu signed with Milan for an initial fee of €20 million.

2018: Reported Reconciliation

In 2018, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and his wife Sinem Gündoğdu reportedly reconciled after experiencing marital problems and filing for divorce.

2018: Hamburg Contract

Çalhanoğlu's contract with Hamburg was until 2018.

March 2019: Birth of daughter Liya

In March 2019, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and his wife welcomed their daughter, Liya, who was born in Mannheim.

March 2019: Goal against Albania

On 22 March 2019, Çalhanoğlu scored in Turkey's 2-0 victory over Albania in a UEFA Euro 2020 qualifier.

October 2019: Military Salute and Support for Turkish Offensive

On 11 October 2019, Hakan Çalhanoğlu participated in a "military salute" goal celebration and expressed open support on Twitter for the Turkish offensive into north-eastern Syria, drawing criticism.

2020: Euro 2020 Qualifier

In 2020, Hakan Çalhanoğlu participated in a military salute following Cenk Tosun's goal in a Euro 2020 qualifier against Albania.

2020: UEFA European Championship

In 2020, Çalhanoğlu was part of the Turkey squad at the UEFA European Championship.

2020: UEFA Euro 2020

On 1 June 2021, Çalhanoğlu was named in the Turkish squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020.

June 2021: Signs with Inter Milan

In June 2021, Çalhanoğlu signed a three-year contract with Inter Milan on a free transfer.

June 2021: UEFA Euro 2020 Squad

On 1 June 2021, Çalhanoğlu was named in the Turkish squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020.

2021: Joins Inter Milan

In the summer of 2021, Çalhanoğlu joined Inter Milan on a free transfer.

March 2022: Named Turkey's Captain

In March 2022, Çalhanoğlu became the captain of the Turkish national team, following Burak Yılmaz's retirement.

October 2022: First Champions League goal with Inter

On 4 October 2022, Çalhanoğlu scored his first Champions League goal with Inter in a 1–0 win over Barcelona.

March 2023: Player of the Match vs. Porto

On 14 March 2023, Çalhanoğlu was named Player of the Match in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Porto.

June 2023: Contract Extension with Inter Milan

On 5 June 2023, Çalhanoğlu agreed to extend his contract with Inter Milan for another 4 years, until 2027.

November 2023: Birth of son Asil Can

In November 2023, Hakan Çalhanoğlu and his wife welcomed their son, Asil Can.

November 2023: Equals Turkish goal scoring record in Serie A

On 4 November 2023, Çalhanoğlu scored his tenth consecutive penalty in a 2–1 victory over Atalanta and equaled Sükrü Gülesin's record as the highest Turkish scorer in Serie A with 36 goals.