Turkish · Fatih, Istanbul, Turkey · Born 30 January 1987Arda Turan is a Turkish football manager and former player who became the most expensive Turkish footballer in history and won La Liga titles with both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona.
Arda Turan was the most expensive Turkish player in history twice over — his 2011 move to Atlético Madrid and his 2015 transfer to Barcelona each breaking the national record in turn — and under Diego Simeone at Atlético he was a key figure in winning the 2013 Copa del Rey, the 2012 Europa League, and the 2014 La Liga title. He made his professional debut for Galatasaray in 2005, and was named club captain at just 21, wearing the number 10 shirt previously worn by club legend Gheorghe Hagi. In August 2011, Turan signed for Atlético Madrid for a fee of €12 million, becoming the most expensive Turkish player in history at the time. Under coach Diego Simeone, he became a key figure in one of the great underdog stories of modern European football, winning the Copa del Rey in 2013, the UEFA Europa League in 2012, and the La Liga title in 2014, scoring a crucial goal in that year's Champions League semifinal against Chelsea as Atlético reached the final. Turan moved to Barcelona in 2015 for a club-record fee at the time, becoming, in successive years, the most expensive Turkish transfer twice over. Despite a delayed debut due to a FIFA transfer ban and mixed form, he won the La Liga title in his first full season, 2015-16, along with two Copa del Rey and two Spanish Super Cup titles during his five years at the club. He earned 100 caps for Turkey, helping the national team qualify for Euro 2016, before returning to Galatasaray in 2020 and retiring in 2022. He moved into coaching, managing Eyüpspor before taking charge of Ukrainian club Shakhtar Donetsk in 2025.
Winning La Liga titles with both Atlético Madrid and Barcelona and becoming the most expensive Turkish football transfer in history
How They Played
Technical attacking midfielder and winger known for ball control, dribbling, and vision
Lasting Impact
One of the most successful Turkish players to compete at the highest level of European football, having played for two of Spain's biggest clubs
Career Honours
- 2x La Liga champion (2014 Atlético Madrid, 2016 Barcelona)
- UEFA Europa League winner (2012, Atlético Madrid)
- Champions League runner-up (2014, Atlético Madrid)
- Most expensive Turkish player transfer in history (2011, then again in 2015)
- 100 caps for Turkey
| Club | Period | Apps |
|---|---|---|
| Galatasaray | 2005–2011 | — |
| Atlético Madrid | 2011–2015 | — |
| Barcelona | 2015–2020 | — |
| Galatasaray | 2020–2022 | — |
Turkish Athletes