Hakan Calhanoglu is a professional soccer player who plays as an attacking midfielder for Inter Milan and the Turkey national team.
But since departing Leverkusen in 2017, Calhanoglu has settled down in Serie A where he played for AC Milan before joining their rivals Inter Milan.
Born in Germany, Calhanoglu instead opted to represent Turkey, who he has frequently appeared for since 2013. Heading into Euro 2020, Calhanoglu will hope he can recreate the success of 2008, when Turkey reached the semi-finals.
German breakthrough
Calhanoglu joined Karlsruher SC in 2009 aged 15, and participated in their youth set-up for two years before breaking into the senior squad.
He made his debut in 2011, and despite being a standout performer, the side suffered relegation to the third division of German soccer.
In the following summer transfer window, Hamburger SV signed Calhanoglu on a four-year deal before loaning him back to Karlsruher to gain more experience.
Calhanoglu's first goals for the club came just weeks later in a 4-0 drubbing of Eintracht Braunschweig. Calhanoglu scored a minute after replacing Rafael van der Vaart, before scoring a free-kick later in the game to double his tally.
This free-kick proved to be a sign of things to come, and Calhanoglu scored another against Borussia Dortmund from an astounding 41 metres in a 3-0 win.
In his first and only season at the club, Calhanoglu helped the side to a 16th-placed finish and made 32 appearances, scoring 11 goals in the process.
Controversy at Leverkusen
After extending his contract at Hamburg in February 2014, Calhanoglu made the switch to Leverkusen in July for a fee of €14.5million.
Initially, Hamburg didn't want to sell to German rivals but financial constraints meant that wasn't possible. Additionally, Calhanoglu was criticised for his actions in the lead up to the move, including taking sick leave after saying he was stressed from fan abuse and vandalism.
The move was further criticised by Hamburg's director who accused him of betraying the club, as well as Son Heung-Min who retaliated following Calhanoglu's claims that the South Korean's move to Tottenham was "badly advised".
Calhanoglu's successful 2014 resulted in a nomination for the Golden Boy award, which was eventually handed to Manchester City forward Raheem Sterling.
Further controversy followed in February 2017 when he received a four-month ban from FIFA regarding a breach of contract during his spell at Karlsruher.
He was ordered to pay back €100,000 to Turkish side Trabzonspor who he had agreed to join in 2011 before instead extending his contract.
Settling in Milan
Following his four-month ban, Calhanoglu signed for AC Milan in July 2017 for a reported fee of €20million. On arrival he was given the prestigious No. 10 jersey, previously worn by legends including Ruud Gullit and Clarence Seedorf.
Since joining the Italian outfit, Calhanoglu has cemented a place in the starting line-up and has showcased his technical ability to Europe's elite.
In the 2020/21 season, Calhanoglu played a pivotal role in AC Milan's second-placed finish in Serie A, contributing four goals and nine assists in 33 appearances.
By the time he laft in 2021, he had made over 100 appearances for Milan.
Crossing San Siro divide to Inter
National team
Born in Germany but of Turkish descent, Calhanoglu opted to represent the Turkish national side.
Calhanoglu's first international goal came in a friendly against Luxembourg. His 30-yard strike in the 87th minute proved the winner.
In Euro 2016, Calhanoglu was called up to the Turkey squad, but they bowed out in the group stage to Croatia and Spain, with their sole win coming in a 2-0 victory over Czech Republic.
At Euro 2020, Turkey disappointed as their talented squad lost all three of their group matches against Italy, Switzerland and Wales before being elimiated.
Personal life
Calhanoglu was born in Mannheim, Germany to Turkish parents hailing from Bayburt. He married childhood sweetheart Sinem Gundogdu in 2017 before divorcing in 2018.
Calhanoglu's younger brother, Muhammed, and cousin, Kerim, are also soccer players. Both have played for Waldhof Mannheim.
Net worth
Calhanoglu's estimated net worth is £7million according to Sportsjone.