Emre Çolak

Emre Çolak — Biography

Emre Çolak was an attacking midfielder and winger who came through the Galatasaray academy, won three league titles, three Turkish Cups and three Super Cups with the first team, and then played in Spain and Saudi Arabia. He is described as the first Turkish footballer to play in the Saudi league. In February 2023 he announced his retirement from football.

The Eminönü-born player started at Atışalanıspor aged 11. At 13 he caught the eye of Galatasaray's academy coaches in a friendly and joined the club. He made his first-team debut in the Turkish Cup against Denizli Belediyespor on 17 January 2010, scoring twice, from a penalty and a free kick, and six days later played his first league match against Gaziantepspor. From 2011-12 he played regularly, his contract was extended to 2016 in February 2012, and on 19 September 2012 he made his Champions League debut against Manchester United. After playing at every Turkish youth level, he made his senior debut in 2012 in a World Cup qualifier against Romania under Abdullah Avcı.

In May 2016 he signed a three-year contract with Deportivo La Coruña, and in 2018 he agreed to join Al-Wehda in Saudi Arabia. Back in Turkey he played for Fatih Karagümrük (December 2020), Hatayspor, İstanbul Başakşehir and Göztepe, and in January 2023 he joined Intercity in Spain. He later moved into the restaurant business in Spain and opened a second restaurant in March 2025.