Özgür Baran Aksaka (Bulgarian: Йозгюр Баран Аксака; born 29 January 2003) is a Turkish-Bulgarian professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bulgarian First League club Arda Kardzhali, on loan from Galatasaray.[1]
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Özgür Baran Aksaka | ||
| Date of birth | 29 January 2003 | ||
| Place of birth | Tekirdağ, Turkey | ||
| Height | 1.78 m (5 ft 10 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Midfielder | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team |
Arda Kardzhali (on loan from Galatasaray) | ||
| Number | 8 | ||
| Youth career | |||
| 2013–2023 | Galatasaray | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| 2022– | Galatasaray | 1 | (0) |
| 2023 | → Şanlıurfaspor (loan) | 2 | (0) |
| 2024 | → Gençlerbirliği (loan) | 3 | (0) |
| 2024– | → Arda Kardzhali (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 11:51, 5 November 2024 (UTC) | |||
Club career
editAksaka was born Tekirdağ, Turkey, to a Turkish father and a mother of mixed Bulgarian and Turkish descent.[2] Starting playing aged eight, he joined Galatasaray academy in 2013.[3] He made his debut for the first team on 19 October 2022 in a Turkish Cup match against Kastamonuspor.[4] On 17 January 2023, Galatasaray extended his contract until the summer of 2026.[5] He completed his professional debut on 4 January 2023 in a league match against Ankaragücü.[6]
Aksaka became the champion in the Süper Lig in the 2022–23 season with the Galatasaray team. Defeating Ankaragücü 4-1 away in the match played in the 36th week on 30 May 2023, Galatasaray secured the lead with 2 weeks before the end and won the 23rd championship in its history.[7]
Loans
editOn September 14, 2023, Aksaka has been loaned out to Şanlıurfaspor without an option to buy.[8] In February 2024 he was sent on loan to Gençlerbirliği until end of the season.
On 17 July 2024 he signed a one year loan with the Bulgarian First League team Arda Kardzhali.[9]
International career
editAksaka holds dual citizenship making him available for both Turkey and Bulgaria. In December 2022 it was reported that he received a call-up for Bulgaria U21 which he accepted.[2][10] A few days later Tolunay Kafkas expressed the desire to call Aksaka in the Turkey U21.[3] In an interview on 2 February 2023, Aleksandar Dimitrov, manager of Bulgaria U21, confirmed he had personally spoken with Aksaka about representing the team in the qualifications for European Under-21 Championship starting from March 2023.[11] On 14 September 2023 he once again confirmed that Aksaka had decided to represent Bulgaria on international level and was not called up for U21 matches in September only because of lack of playing time on club level.[12]
Career statistics
editClub
edit- As of 4 January 2023[1]
| Club | Season | League | Cup | Continental | Other | Total | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Division | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | Apps | Goals | ||
| Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 2022–23 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| 2023–24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Total | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
| Şanlıurfaspor (loan) | 1. Lig | 2023–24 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | – | – | 0 | 0 | ||
| Career total | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | ||
Honours
editGalatasaray
References
edit- ^ a b "Bulgaria - B. Aksaka - Profile with news, career statistics and history". Soccerway. Retrieved 6 August 2017.
- ^ a b Турски талант с български корени получи покана за младежкия ни национален отбор
- ^ a b Galatasaray extended the contract of Özgür Baran Aksaka until 2026
- ^ Galatasaray 7-0 GMG Kastamonuspor
- ^ Galatasaray, Baran Aksaka'nın sözleşmesini uzattı
- ^ Galatasaray 2-1 MKE Ankaragücü
- ^ "Turkish Super Lig: Galatasaray win title for 23rd time after beating Ankaragucu 4-1". BBC Sport. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "RHA Ajans yazmıştı:Özgür Baran Aksaka ve Jospin Nshimirimana Şanlıurfaspor 'da". RHA Ajans (in Turkish). Retrieved 15 September 2023.
- ^ АРДА подписа с талант на Галатасарай
- ^ Футболист на Галатасарай става младежки национал на България?
- ^ Александър Димитров пред Дарик: Надявам се сега момчетата да бъркат по-малко, отколкото в предишните квалификации
- ^ РАЗКРИТИЕ: Футболист на Галатасарай ще играе за България
- ^ "CUMHURİYETİN YÜZÜ, TÜRKİYE'NİN EN BÜYÜĞÜ, ŞAMPİYON GALATASARAY!". Galatasaray S.K. 30 May 2023. Retrieved 30 May 2023.
External links
edit- Baran Aksaka at Soccerway