Emre Akbaba

Emre Akbaba — Biography

Emre Akbaba is an attacking midfielder, born in France, who rose in Turkey and plays in the number ten position. He is known for the goals that helped Alanyaspor reach the Süper Lig and for winning the 2018-19 league title with Galatasaray, and he has been called up to the Turkish national team. He now plays for Fatih Karagümrük.

Born in Montfermeil to a family from Bitlis, he started in amateur football in France and took part in the "Stars of Europe" trials. In Turkey he played in Antalyaspor's youth system, was loaned to Kahramanmaraş BB and moved to Alanyaspor in 2013-14, helping the team win promotion to the 1. Lig; he began 2015-16 with Antalyaspor in the Süper Lig, returned to Alanyaspor in the winter window and played a part in their rise to the top flight. His 2017-18 form took him to Fatih Terim's national team: first called up in June 2017, he scored his first goal against Albania in November 2017.

He joined Galatasaray in August 2018 and won the league and the Turkish Cup in his first season and the Super Cup in 2019. In May 2019 he broke his foot away at Rizespor, and eight months later, on his return, he scored against the same opponent. After a loan at Alanyaspor he moved to Adana Demirspor in September 2022 and to Eyüpspor in 2024; an injury in March 2026 ended his season early, and in July 2026 he agreed to join Fatih Karagümrük.