Eren Elmalı has become one of Turkey’s most talked-about defenders after his high-profile move to Galatasaray.
This article covers everything you need to know about his net worth, salary, contract, and how he built his career from the streets of Istanbul to the top of the Süper Lig.
Eren Elmalı’s Biography
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Evren Eren Elmalı |
| Date of Birth | July 7, 2000 |
| Age | 25 |
| Place of Birth | Kartal, Istanbul, Turkey |
| Nationality | Turkish |
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 76 kg (168 lb) |
| Position | Left-Back |
| Current Club | Galatasaray (Süper Lig) |
| Jersey Number | 17 |
| Preferred Foot | Left |
| Turned Professional | 2019 |
| Net Worth | ~$3 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~€1.5 million (estimated) |
| Contract Expires | June 30, 2028 |
| @erenelmali18 |
Early Life and Career
Eren Elmalı grew up in Kartal, a district on Istanbul’s Asian side known for producing determined footballers rather than glamorous ones.
He started his youth journey at Kartalspor in 2011 — a local club with limited resources but a reputation for nurturing homegrown talent.
He spent seven years there, grinding through the grassroots levels of Turkish youth football before catching the attention of bigger clubs.
In 2018, Kasımpaşa brought him into their academy structure. It was a clear step up, and Elmalı made the most of it.
He signed his first professional contract with Kasımpaşa in 2019 and was immediately sent out on loan to Silivrispor in the TFF First League for the 2019–20 season. The loan gave him the competitive minutes his development needed.
After returning to Kasımpaşa for the 2020–21 campaign, he made his Süper Lig debut on January 11, 2021, in a 2–1 away win over Alanyaspor.
Playing under coach Fuat Çapa, Elmalı started as left-back and didn’t look out of place. He went on to accumulate 41 appearances across all competitions for Kasımpaşa before his performances attracted bigger clubs.
His technical ability on the left flank, combined with reliable defensive positioning, made him one of the more exciting young full-backs in Turkish football at the time.
Professional Career
Elmalı’s breakthrough at club level came when Trabzonspor signed him in July 2022 for €3.6 million on a long-term deal. At a club of Trabzonspor’s stature, the expectation was high. He delivered.
Over two and a half seasons, Elmalı made 111 appearances for the Black Sea club, helping them win the 2022–23 Turkish Super Cup. He built a reputation as a disciplined, industrious left-back — rarely flashy, but consistently effective.
His form earned him a senior Turkey national team call-up in June 2022. According to Transfermarkt’s international statistics for Elmalı, he has accumulated 22 caps for the national team as of mid-2026, a significant return for a player who only broke into the top flight in 2021.
In February 2025, Galatasaray — Turkey’s most decorated club — came calling. The Istanbul giants paid Trabzonspor a base fee of €3.5 million with an additional €0.5 million in performance-related bonuses, as reported by TransferFeed.
Elmalı signed a deal running until June 30, 2028, with the club holding an option for the 2028–29 season. The transfer was backed strongly by head coach Okan Buruk, who valued Elmalı’s versatility across the defensive line.
At Galatasaray, Elmalı contributed to back-to-back Süper Lig title wins in 2024–25 and 2025–26, as well as the Turkish Cup in 2024–25. It was an immediate return on investment.
However, the 2025–26 season came with a setback. In November 2025, Elmalı received a 45-day ban for his involvement in the Turkish football betting scandal — an incident that temporarily removed him from first-team action.
He returned after serving the suspension and resumed his role in Galatasaray’s squad.
Eren Elmalı’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Eren Elmalı’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $3 million.
He built this through professional football contracts in the Süper Lig spanning Kasımpaşa, Trabzonspor, and now Galatasaray, combined with his growing social media presence. This figure is an informed estimate — no official net worth declaration exists.
Contract
Elmalı signed a three-and-a-half-year contract with Galatasaray on February 11, 2025.
According to Capology’s salary database, the deal runs until June 30, 2028, with approximately €4.5 million in total guaranteed salary remaining on the contract. Galatasaray also holds an extension option covering the 2028–29 season.
The transfer itself cost Galatasaray €3.5 million plus €0.5 million in conditional bonuses paid to Trabzonspor.
Salary
Capology estimates Elmalı’s gross annual salary at approximately €1.5 million with Galatasaray — a significant jump from what he earned during his Trabzonspor years.
Earlier reporting at the time of the transfer suggested a figure of around €1 million per year, but the final agreed terms appear slightly higher.
At Kasımpaşa, his salary as a young domestic player would have been considerably lower — likely in the €150,000–€300,000 annual range.
Trabzonspor likely paid him in the €500,000–€800,000 range based on comparable Süper Lig defenders at that level.
Career Earnings By Season
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Silivrispor (loan) | ~€60,000 |
| 2020–21 | Kasımpaşa | ~€150,000 |
| 2021–22 | Kasımpaşa | ~€250,000 |
| 2022–23 | Trabzonspor | ~€600,000 |
| 2023–24 | Trabzonspor | ~€700,000 |
| 2024–25 | Trabzonspor / Galatasaray | ~€900,000 |
| 2025–26 | Galatasaray | ~€1,500,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Appearances | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019–20 | Silivrispor (loan) | TFF First League | — | — | — |
| 2020–21 | Kasımpaşa | Süper Lig | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| 2021–22 | Kasımpaşa | Süper Lig | 32 | 1 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | Trabzonspor | Süper Lig + Cups | 39 | 0 | 3 |
| 2023–24 | Trabzonspor | Süper Lig + Cups | 41 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | Trabzonspor / Galatasaray | Süper Lig | 31 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | Galatasaray | Süper Lig + UCL | 27 | 3 | 0 |
| Total | 249+ | 6+ | 8+ |
FAQs
What is Eren Elmalı’s net worth?
Eren Elmalı’s net worth is estimated at approximately $3 million. He earned this through professional contracts in the Süper Lig, primarily at Trabzonspor and Galatasaray.
How much does Eren Elmalı earn at Galatasaray?
He earns an estimated gross salary of €1.5 million per year at Galatasaray, according to Capology’s salary tracking database. His deal runs until June 2028.
How much did Galatasaray pay for Eren Elmalı?
Galatasaray paid Trabzonspor a base fee of €3.5 million, with an additional €0.5 million in performance bonuses, to secure Elmalı’s transfer in February 2025.
How many caps has Eren Elmalı earned for Turkey?
Elmalı has earned 22 international caps for the Turkey senior national team. He made his debut in June 2022 during UEFA Nations League fixtures.
What trophies has Eren Elmalı won?
He has won the Süper Lig twice (2024–25 and 2025–26), the Turkish Cup (2024–25) with Galatasaray, and the Turkish Super Cup (2022–23) with Trabzonspor.
