Set-piece specialist and playmaker who reinvented himself as a deep-lying midfielder at Inter Milan with outstanding results.
Hakan Çalhanoğlu was born in Mannheim, Germany on 8 February 1994 to Turkish parents. He made his name at Bayer Leverkusen with spectacular free kicks before joining AC Milan in 2017. In a controversial move, he crossed the city to join Inter Milan on a free transfer in 2021. Under Simone Inzaghi, he reinvented himself as a deep-lying playmaker, combining his exceptional passing range and set-piece ability with a new defensive discipline. He won two Serie A titles and reached the 2023 Champions League final. He has earned over 85 caps for Turkey.
Serie A 2x
He once scored a free kick from over 40 yards out at Bayer Leverkusen that went viral, establishing him as one of football's greatest set-piece takers.
Did You Know?Career Honours
- Serie A 2x
- Coppa Italia 2x
- Italian Super Cup 2x