Salih Özcan has quietly built a respectable financial profile during a decade-long Bundesliga career.
This article breaks down his estimated net worth, his salary at Borussia Dortmund, and the career earnings that got him there.
Salih Özcan’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Salih Özcan |
| Date of Birth | January 11, 1998 |
| Age | 28 |
| Place of Birth | Cologne, Germany |
| Nationality | Turkish (German-born) |
| Height | 1.82 m (6 ft 0 in) |
| Weight | 74 kg (163 lbs) |
| Position | Defensive Midfielder |
| Current Club | Free Agent (former Borussia Dortmund) |
| Turned Professional | 2016 |
| Net Worth | ~$3 million (estimated) |
| Annual Salary | ~€3.77 million (2025–26, final season at BVB) |
| @salihoezcan (255K followers) |
Early Life and Career
Salih Özcan was born on January 11, 1998, in Cologne, Germany, to Turkish immigrant parents. Growing up in the heart of one of Germany’s most football-obsessed cities, he found his way to the sport early.
At just eight years old, he joined his local club SC West Köln, where he immediately caught the eye of talent scouts from 1. FC Köln.
By 2007, he had made the move to Köln’s prestigious youth academy — one of the most respected development programs in the Bundesliga.
Özcan captained almost every Köln youth team he played for, demonstrating leadership qualities that would define his career. Interestingly, before football consumed his life, he was also a talented wrestler — a skill he picked up from his father.
He was competitive enough to consider the sport seriously, but football always won out. As he explained to BVB’s official magazine, even his father — himself a passionate wrestler — never pushed him away from the pitch.
He progressed steadily through Köln’s reserve side, FC Köln II, from 2016 onward, playing in the Regionalliga while simultaneously earning time with the senior squad.
In 2017, his outstanding performances earned him the prestigious golden Fritz Walter Medal, awarded annually to the best U19 player in Germany — a remarkable individual honor that put the entire country on notice.
Professional Career
Özcan made his Bundesliga debut for 1. FC Köln in September 2016, coming on as a substitute in a match against Schalke 04.
By the 2017–18 season, he had established himself as a regular starter in Köln’s central midfield.
The club was relegated to the 2. Bundesliga at the end of that season, and Özcan stayed committed, scoring his first professional goal in September 2018 in a second-division fixture against FC St. Pauli.
To gain more experience, Köln sent him on loan to Holstein Kiel for the 2019–20 season, where he featured regularly in the second tier.
Returning to Köln, he eventually established himself as one of the squad’s most reliable defensive midfielders. Despite scoring only two Bundesliga goals throughout his entire career — both for Köln in late 2021 — his value was never measured in goals.
His duels won, interceptions, and work rate made him the kind of midfielder coaches trusted in crucial moments.
In July 2022, Transfermarkt reported the transfer fee to be approximately €5 million when Borussia Dortmund signed him — a clear statement of faith from one of Germany’s biggest clubs.
He quickly adapted to the Champions League environment at BVB, featuring in the club’s memorable run to the 2023–24 UEFA Champions League final.
On the international stage, he switched his allegiance from Germany’s youth setup to the Turkish senior national team in 2022, earning over 22 caps and representing Turkey at UEFA Euro 2024 in Germany.
He also holds a UEFA European Under-21 Championship winner’s medal, having been part of Germany’s triumphant squad at the 2021 tournament.
After a loan stint at VfL Wolfsburg from August 2024 to January 2025, he returned to BVB.
In March 2026, the club confirmed his contract — set to expire on June 30, 2026 — would not be renewed. His final appearance came on May 8, 2026, in a 3–2 Bundesliga win over Eintracht Frankfurt.
Salih Özcan’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Salih Özcan’s has an estimated net worth of $3 million.
He built this wealth over a decade playing professional football across Germany — from the Regionalliga with Köln’s reserves to Bundesliga starts for Borussia Dortmund and a Champions League final appearance.
His earnings steadily grew from modest early-career salaries at Köln to a peak annual wage above €3.7 million in his final season at BVB.
Contract
Salih Özcan signed with Borussia Dortmund in July 2022 on a four-year deal that was due to expire on June 30, 2026.
According to Capology, the contract carried an estimated gross salary of approximately €3,770,000 in its final year.
In August 2024, he was sent on a season-long loan to VfL Wolfsburg but was recalled in January 2025 following a long-term injury to teammate Felix Nmecha.
BVB confirmed in March 2026 that the contract would not be extended, making him a free agent at the end of the 2025–26 season.
Salary
At Borussia Dortmund, Salih Özcan earned an estimated €72,500 per week in gross salary during the 2025–26 season — equating to roughly €3.77 million annually. This represented the peak of his career earnings.
During his loan at VfL Wolfsburg in 2024–25, his weekly wage was reported to be around £61,813 (approximately €3.2 million annually).
His salary at 1. FC Köln in his earlier years was significantly lower, ranging from around €224,000 per year in his debut season to €730,000 per year by 2021–22.
His wages never reached the stratospheric levels of Bundesliga superstars, but his trajectory — from a €224,000-a-year youngster to a €3.77 million earner at a club like BVB — reflects a career built steadily on merit rather than media profile.
Career Earnings By Year
| Season | Club | Estimated Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | 1. FC Köln | €224,000 |
| 2017–18 | 1. FC Köln | €232,000 |
| 2018–19 | 1. FC Köln | N/A (not reported) |
| 2019–20 | Holstein Kiel (loan) | €550,000 |
| 2020–21 | 1. FC Köln | €730,000 |
| 2021–22 | 1. FC Köln | €730,000 |
| 2022–23 | Borussia Dortmund | Not disclosed |
| 2023–24 | Borussia Dortmund | ~€3,200,000 |
| 2024–25 | VfL Wolfsburg (loan) | ~€3,200,000 |
| 2025–26 | Borussia Dortmund | ~€3,770,000 |
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Goals | Assists |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2016–17 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 13 | 0 | 1 |
| 2017–18 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 26 | 0 | 1 |
| 2018–19 | 1. FC Köln | 2. Bundesliga | 26 | 1 | 2 |
| 2019–20 | Holstein Kiel (loan) | 2. Bundesliga | 27 | 0 | 3 |
| 2020–21 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 29 | 0 | 1 |
| 2021–22 | 1. FC Köln | Bundesliga | 28 | 2 | 2 |
| 2022–23 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | 26 | 0 | 1 |
| 2023–24 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | 20 | 0 | 1 |
| 2024–25 | VfL Wolfsburg (loan) | Bundesliga | 17 | 0 | 1 |
| 2025–26 | Borussia Dortmund | Bundesliga | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Career Total | 223+ | 3 | 13+ |
FAQs
What is Salih Özcan’s net worth?
Salih Özcan’s estimated net worth is around $3 million. He built this primarily through Bundesliga contracts at 1. FC Köln, Borussia Dortmund, and a loan at VfL Wolfsburg, with no major endorsements confirmed.
How much does Salih Özcan earn per week?
At Borussia Dortmund in 2025–26, he earned an estimated £73,000 per week — roughly €72,500 gross weekly — making his annual salary approximately €3.77 million, the highest of his career.
Is Salih Özcan still at Borussia Dortmund?
No. BVB announced in March 2026 that his contract, expiring June 30, 2026, would not be renewed. He made his final appearance for the club on May 8, 2026, and left as a free agent at the end of the season.
Which national team does Salih Özcan play for?
He plays for the Turkey national team. Though born and raised in Germany and capped by German youth sides up to U21 level, he switched international allegiance to Turkey in 2022 and has earned over 22 senior caps, including appearances at UEFA Euro 2024.
Did Salih Özcan win any major trophies?
Yes. He won the UEFA European Under-21 Championship in 2021 as part of Germany’s squad. At club level, he reached the UEFA Champions League final with Borussia Dortmund in 2023–24, though the club lost to Real Madrid.
