Emre Can
Emre Can (born 12 January 1994) is a German professional footballer who plays as a versatile central midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Dortmund, where he has served as captain since 2023, and the Germany national team.[1][2][3] Born in Frankfurt to Turkish parents, Can developed through the youth academies of SV Blau-Gelb Frankfurt and Bayern Munich before making his senior debut with Bayer Leverkusen in 2012.[3] He transferred to Liverpool in 2014, appearing in 167 matches over three seasons and contributing to the team's progression in domestic and European competitions, though without major trophies during his tenure.[4] In 2018, Can joined Juventus on a free transfer, winning back-to-back Serie A titles in 2019 and 2020 while featuring in 83 league games.[5] Returning to Germany with Borussia Dortmund in 2020, he has since played over 150 Bundesliga matches, won the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal, and reached the 2024 UEFA Champions League final.[6][5] Internationally, Can earned 19 caps for Germany between 2015 and 2019, including victory in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup.[5]Early life and background
Family origins and upbringing
Emre Can was born on 12 January 1994 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to parents of Turkish origin who had immigrated from Turkey.[7] His family's roots trace to the Afyon region in western Turkey, as Can himself disclosed in a 2016 interview.[8] This heritage made him eligible to represent either Germany or Turkey at the international level, though he ultimately chose the country of his birth.[9] Raised in Frankfurt's Nordweststadt district, a working-class area Can later characterized as challenging, where residents "learn to be tough" amid socioeconomic pressures.[6] His family embodied typical blue-collar values, with both parents maintaining steady employment to provide stability, instilling in Can an early appreciation for diligence and resilience from a young age.[9]Initial involvement in football
Can joined SV Blau-Gelb Frankfurt, a local amateur club, at the age of six in 2000, marking the start of his organized involvement in football.[9] [3] He played there for six years, initially aspiring to offensive positions reflective of his early enthusiasm for the sport.[10] In 2006, at age 12, Can transferred to the youth academy of Eintracht Frankfurt, the largest club in his hometown, where scouts had identified his potential amid rapid physical and technical development.[11] [12] This move represented a step up to structured professional youth training, though Can later noted the challenges of adapting to a larger environment while balancing school.[11] During his three years at Eintracht (2006–2009), he honed skills that attracted attention from top clubs, including an initial shift toward defensive roles.[13][14]Club career
Bayern Munich (2009–2013)
Can joined FC Bayern Munich's youth setup on 1 July 2009, transferring from Eintracht Frankfurt's youth team to Bayern's U17 squad at age 15.[15][4] He advanced through the youth ranks, including U19, and began playing for Bayern's reserve team, FC Bayern II, in the Regionalliga Bayern fourth tier during the 2011–12 season.[16] Despite high regard within the club for his versatility as a central midfielder or defender, intense competition in Bayern's first team limited his breakthrough opportunities. Can made his senior debut for Bayern on 12 August 2012, substituting in the DFL-Supercup against Borussia Dortmund, a match Bayern won 2–1.[6] His Bundesliga debut followed on 13 April 2013, entering as a substitute in a 4–0 home win over 1. FC Nürnberg under manager Jupp Heynckes.[17] Later that month, on 27 April 2013, he scored his sole Bundesliga goal for the club in a 1–0 victory against SC Freiburg, starting the match.[18] In total, Can recorded seven first-team appearances across all competitions during his Bayern tenure, primarily as a substitute amid the squad's depth featuring established players like Bastian Schweinsteiger and Javi Martínez.[19] On 2 August 2013, Bayern transferred Can permanently to Bayer Leverkusen for a reported €5 million fee, signing a four-year contract through June 2017, while retaining a future buy-back clause exercisable from 2015 onward.[20][21] This move allowed the 19-year-old greater playing time to develop, as Bayern prioritized squad rotation for their title-contending core.[22]Bayer Leverkusen (2012–2014)
On 2 August 2013, Emre Can joined Bayer Leverkusen from Bayern Munich on a permanent transfer for a reported fee of €5 million, signing a four-year contract until June 2017, with Bayern retaining a buy-back option exercisable in 2015.[21][20][22] Can made his debut for Leverkusen on 31 August 2013, substituting in during a 2–0 Bundesliga away defeat to Schalke 04.[23] He featured regularly under manager Sascha Lewandowski and later Sami Hyypiä, primarily as a defensive midfielder or centre-back, contributing to the team's fourth-place Bundesliga finish that secured Champions League qualification.[12] In the 2013–14 Bundesliga season, Can recorded 29 appearances, 3 goals, and 3 assists.[24][25] His goals came against SC Freiburg on 23 November 2013, 1. FC Köln on 18 January 2014, and Eintracht Frankfurt on 29 March 2014. In the Europa League, he debuted on 17 September 2013 in a 4–2 group stage loss to Manchester United, making 4 appearances with 1 assist as Leverkusen reached the round of 32.[17] Can also played 2 DFB-Pokal matches without scoring.[26] Overall, across 39 competitive appearances in his single season at Leverkusen, Can scored 4 goals and provided 4 assists, demonstrating versatility in defensive roles while aiding the team's competitive campaign.[27][28]Liverpool (2014–2018)
Emre Can transferred to Liverpool from Bayer Leverkusen in July 2014 for a reported fee of £10 million, signing a six-year contract.[29] He made his Premier League debut as a substitute on 25 August 2014 during a 3–1 loss to Manchester City.[18] Can scored his first goal for the club on 8 November 2014, contributing to a 2–0 victory over Chelsea.[4] Injuries, including an early setback that limited his initial appearances, restricted his playing time under manager Brendan Rodgers.[30] Following Jürgen Klopp's appointment in October 2015, Can established himself as a versatile defensive midfielder, occasionally deploying at center-back, within Liverpool's high-pressing system.[31] In the 2016–17 season, he achieved his most productive campaign, scoring five Premier League goals, including a notable overhead kick against Watford on 6 March 2017, later voted Liverpool's goal of the season.[4] Can featured prominently in the Europa League, starting in the semi-final second leg against Villarreal in 2016.[4] During the 2017–18 season, Can appeared in the UEFA Champions League final as a substitute against Real Madrid on 26 May 2018, marking his last game for the club.[4] Persistent injuries, such as a ruptured ankle ligament in April 2016 that sidelined him for four to six weeks and a back injury in April 2018 that ended his domestic campaign, impacted his consistency.[32][33] Over 167 appearances across all competitions from 2014 to 2018, Can recorded 14 goals and 10 assists.[4] Can departed Liverpool as a free agent upon the expiry of his contract in June 2018, rejecting renewal offers to join Juventus on a four-year deal offering higher wages, including a substantial signing-on fee estimated at £14 million.[34][35] He cited Juventus's competitive project as a key factor in his decision.[36]
Juventus (2018–2020)
Emre Can signed a four-year contract with Juventus on a free transfer from Liverpool on 21 June 2018.[37] The move followed the expiration of his Liverpool deal, with Juventus securing the German international to bolster their midfield options under manager Massimiliano Allegri.[38] In the 2018–19 season, Can quickly integrated into the squad, making 39 appearances across all competitions and scoring 4 goals.[39] He demonstrated versatility, primarily featuring as a defensive midfielder but also filling in at center-back, contributing to Juventus' eighth consecutive Serie A title.[5] His physical presence and aerial ability proved assets in Allegri's system, though he occasionally faced criticism for inconsistent passing accuracy in high-pressure matches. The 2019–20 campaign marked a downturn under new manager Maurizio Sarri, who favored a possession-oriented style less suited to Can's profile.[40] Limited to sporadic starts, Can recorded minimal minutes before Juventus agreed to loan him to Borussia Dortmund on 31 January 2020, with an obligation to buy activated at season's end for €25 million if performance criteria were met.[41] [42] Over his 18-month stint, Can amassed 45 appearances and 4 goals in total, securing a second Serie A title in 2019–20 despite his reduced role.[43] Juventus sporting director Fabio Paratici later cited tactical incompatibility with Sarri's demands as a factor in the departure.[40]Borussia Dortmund (2020–present)
Emre Can joined Borussia Dortmund on loan from Juventus on 31 January 2020, with the transfer structured as a loan-to-buy deal valued at €25 million, which was activated to make the move permanent on 18 February 2020, securing him on a four-year contract.[44][45][46] The German midfielder quickly integrated into the squad, contributing to Dortmund's run to the 2020–21 DFB-Pokal title, where he featured in key matches during the competition's knockout stages.[5] In the 2020–21 Bundesliga season, Can made 25 appearances, scoring once and providing assists, while demonstrating versatility across central midfield and defensive roles.[25] His performances led to a contract extension in 2022, committing him to the club until June 2026.[47] By the 2023–24 season, Can had assumed the captaincy, guiding Dortmund to the UEFA Champions League final, though they lost 2–0 to Real Madrid; he started in central defense during the tournament.[1] During the 2024–25 campaign, Can transitioned primarily to a defensive position, often at right-back or center-back, logging over 2,100 minutes in 31 Bundesliga matches with 3 goals scored.[48] However, in late 2025, he suffered a significant injury, with reports indicating he may not return until 2026, potentially impacting his availability for the remainder of the 2025–26 season.[49] Despite injury setbacks, Can's leadership and adaptability have solidified his role as a mainstay at Dortmund, with 150 appearances across all competitions by mid-2025.[28]International career
Youth international career
Can represented Germany at various youth international levels, beginning with the under-15 team in 2009.[50] He progressed to the under-16 and under-17 squads, earning call-ups based on his performances in Bayern Munich's youth system.[51] In 2011, at age 17, Can captained the Germany under-17 team to the final of the UEFA European Under-17 Championship in Romania, where they were defeated 5–2 by the Netherlands on 14 May.[52] The same squad achieved third place at the FIFA Under-17 World Cup in Mexico later that year, with Can featuring prominently as a defensive midfielder.[53] For his leadership and contributions, he received the Fritz Walter Medal in gold for the best under-17 player in Germany, awarded by the German Football Association.[54] [51] He was also named to the UEFA European Under-17 Championship Team of the Tournament.[18] Can advanced to the under-19 level, accumulating 5 caps and 1 goal.[55] He then joined the under-21 team, making 13 appearances and scoring 1 goal, including participation in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship in the Czech Republic.[55] [18] His youth career totaled approximately 23 matches and 2 goals across age groups.[56]Senior international career
Emre Can made his senior debut for the Germany national team on 4 September 2015, as a substitute in a 3–1 UEFA Nations League victory over Poland.[57] He quickly established himself in the squad, earning selection for UEFA Euro 2016, where he appeared as a substitute in the semi-final defeat to France (0–2 on 7 July 2016).[57] In 2017, Can contributed to Germany's triumph in the FIFA Confederations Cup, participating in all three group stage matches and starting in the final, a 1–0 win against Chile on 2 July 2017 that secured the title.[57] He was named to the 2018 FIFA World Cup squad but did not feature in any matches amid limited opportunities and subsequent club commitments.[57] Can's international career extended into the 2020s, with appearances in UEFA Nations League fixtures and friendlies, including a half-time substitution in a 2–0 friendly win over Peru on 25 March 2023.[57] At UEFA Euro 2024, he started in the group stage opener, scoring Germany's fifth goal in a 5–1 victory against Scotland on 14 June 2024, before featuring as a substitute in the quarter-final extra-time loss to Spain (1–2 AET) on 5 July 2024.[57] As of 2024, he has accumulated 64 caps for Germany, scoring 2 goals.[57]Playing style and attributes
Strengths and versatility
Emre Can's versatility has been a hallmark of his career, enabling him to deploy effectively across multiple positions in midfield and defense. Primarily a central or defensive midfielder, he has also excelled as a centre-back and occasionally as a full-back, adapting seamlessly to tactical demands such as Liverpool's back-three system under Jürgen Klopp in 2015 or Borussia Dortmund's hybrid roles in recent seasons.[58][59][60] This adaptability stems from his tactical awareness and physical robustness, allowing managers to utilize him in fluid formations without compromising team structure.[12] His strengths include an imposing 6 ft 0 in (1.85 m) frame that aids in aerial dominance and physical duels, combined with fine technical skills in passing and ball-carrying. Can demonstrates strong work ethic and game-reading ability, enabling progressive play from deep positions, as evidenced by his free-roaming role at the base of Liverpool's midfield in the 2015–16 season, where he imposed authority through defensive recoveries and forward surges.[12][61] Analysts have noted his capacity to transition aggressively from defense to attack, resembling a modern box-to-box presence with leadership qualities that enhance team cohesion.[62][63]Criticisms and limitations
Emre Can has faced criticism for mental lapses and poor positioning, particularly during his Liverpool tenure, where he was noted for slicing a routine clearance against Everton in Brendan Rodgers' final match, leading to an equalizer, and lacking tactical foresight in key games like the Europa League final against Sevilla.[61] These issues contributed to periods of mediocrity, with frequent needless turnovers and fading performance under pressure.[61] Tactically, Can exhibits limitations in team defensive structure, often stopping to observe rather than rushing back to cover, which exposes him to being dribbled past due to limited mobility and an "infuriating tendency" for suboptimal positioning that hinders quick ball reception from defenders.[63] His turning with the ball has been likened to that of a boat, impeding progression in tight spaces, especially alongside partners like Georginio Wijnaldum.[63] Despite physical attributes like height, he is not aerially dominant, a flaw exposed in central defensive roles under Rodgers.[63] In midfield, Can's lack of creativity persists as a key limitation, with strengths in ball retention undermined by insufficient progressive passing or chance creation, particularly in high-possession systems like Borussia Dortmund's under recent managers.[64] At age 29 during the 2023 analysis, such gaps were seen as unlikely to resolve significantly, exacerbating inconsistencies despite improved pass accuracy (around 4% higher than prior seasons).[64] His versatility, while enabling positional flexibility, has sometimes prevented specialization, leading to dips in elite-level efficacy.[61]Injuries and fitness challenges
Major injury history
Emre Can suffered a ruptured ankle ligament injury on 14 April 2016 during Liverpool's UEFA Europa League quarter-final match against Borussia Dortmund, which ruled him out for the remainder of the domestic season and approximately four weeks overall.[65][66][67] In March 2018, Can sustained a recurring back injury during Liverpool's 5-0 Premier League victory over Watford on 17 March, sidelining him for the final seven league matches of the season and contributing to his exclusion from Germany's 2018 FIFA World Cup squad.[68][69] The issue persisted with a setback during international duty in March 2018, preventing full training participation.[70] At Borussia Dortmund, Can experienced multiple muscular injuries in the 2021–22 season, including a 37-day absence from late August to late September 2021 due to muscular problems and a separate 22-day muscle injury from late October to mid-November 2021.[71] In the 2023–24 season, he missed 29 days and eight matches from late October to late November 2023 owing to an unspecified injury.[71] More recently, Can has dealt with persistent adductor and groin issues; in the 2024–25 season, adductor pain caused a 21-day absence, while in the 2025–26 season, a similar problem beginning 1 July 2025 has extended over 118 days as of late October, resulting in 14 games missed and an uncertain return timeline potentially into 2026.[71][72] This latest setback followed a brief recurrence in April 2025, exacerbating concerns over his long-term fitness.[73]Impact on career trajectory
Emre Can's injuries have recurrently disrupted his continuity, leading to extended absences that hindered his integration into squads and limited his accumulation of high-level minutes during key developmental phases. At Juventus, following his transfer from Liverpool on July 1, 2018, Can underwent surgery on October 29, 2018, to remove a thyroid nodule diagnosed as cancerous, which sidelined him for roughly two months and delayed his adaptation to Serie A.[74][75] This health crisis, occurring mere months into a high-profile move, forced a cautious reintegration, with Can resuming full training only in November 2018 before a brief return to competitive action.[76] Compounding this, an ankle injury in April 2019 further restricted his availability amid Juventus's injury concerns ahead of Champions League fixtures.[77] These setbacks contributed to diminished playing time in the 2019-20 season, ultimately facilitating his departure on a free transfer to Borussia Dortmund in August 2020, where he sought greater consistency.[71] Upon joining Dortmund, Can initially thrived, earning the captaincy in 2023, but persistent muscular issues eroded his reliability. The 2021-22 season exemplified this, with multiple absences totaling 107 days missed across four injuries, including 37 days from August to September 2021, resulting in 20 games skipped and stalling his momentum after a promising debut campaign.[71] Subsequent seasons saw similar patterns, such as 29 days out from October to November 2023 due to adductor problems, limiting his influence in Bundesliga title challenges.[71] By the 2024-25 season, a groin injury from June 2025 onward extended into 118 days missed by early 2026, causing him to forfeit the opening matches and prompting gradual reintegration protocols.[71][78] These fitness challenges have broadly altered Can's trajectory from a highly touted prospect—emerging from Bayern Munich's youth system to Liverpool's first team by 2014—to a versatile utility player adapting across midfield and defense roles to accommodate recovery periods. While not derailing his international career (39 caps for Germany as of 2025), recurrent absences have reduced his candidacy for consistent starting berths at elite clubs, fostering resilience but capping his peak performance windows compared to injury-free contemporaries.[71][79] Total days missed exceed 300 across his professional tenure, underscoring how injuries have necessitated positional flexibility and periodic bench roles despite technical prowess.[71]Personal life
Family and heritage
Emre Can was born on 12 January 1994 in Frankfurt am Main, Germany, to Turkish immigrant parents Güven Can and Gülay Can, who had relocated from Turkey prior to his birth.[80] His family originates from the Afyon region in western Turkey, reflecting his ethnic Turkish heritage despite being raised in Germany's working-class Nordweststadt district of Frankfurt, which he has described as a challenging environment that instilled resilience.[8][6][9] Can's upbringing in a bilingual household, fluent in both German and Turkish, underscores his dual cultural influences, with his parents embodying the industrious ethos of Turkey's guest worker generation in Germany.[81] He has publicly identified as proud of both his Turkish roots and German nationality, navigating the identity complexities common among second-generation Turkish-Germans without pursuing eligibility for Turkey's national team despite overtures.[81][82]Public persona and off-field activities
Emre Can maintains a public image as a vocal and principled leader, often expressing opinions on teammates and broader issues in interviews. In June 2020, he publicly urged Borussia Dortmund teammate Jadon Sancho to exhibit greater maturity following an off-field incident involving a social media post perceived as politically charged, stating that young players must recognize the responsibilities of their platform.[83] Similarly, in 2018, Can declined an invitation from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to visit after joining Juventus, prioritizing his professional commitments as reported by German outlet Welt.[84] These instances highlight his persona as straightforward and independent, occasionally drawing scrutiny but reinforcing his reputation for authenticity among fans and media. Can has engaged in several charitable initiatives, reflecting a commitment to community support. In September 2019, while at Juventus, he donated €10,000 to a school association linked to his former Frankfurt institution, aiding educational efforts as covered by Goal Italy.[85] During his Liverpool tenure, he participated in the club's LFC Foundation auction, offering a pool game experience to benefit IntoUniversity North Liverpool's youth programs.[86] He also joined Liverpool teammates in Standard Chartered's 2015 Positive Living campaign promoting HIV awareness and in the 2018 World Book Day events to encourage literacy among children.[87][88] Off-field, Can actively uses social media to engage followers, with his Instagram account (@emrecan23) featuring team updates, personal reflections, and motivational content, positioning him as an influencer among Dortmund supporters.[89] He has expressed interest in fashion, appearing as a magazine cover star in 2017 where he discussed style preferences, avoiding certain trends, and peers' tattoos, underscoring a polished off-pitch aesthetic.[90] As Dortmund captain since 2023, his leadership extends beyond matches, fostering team cohesion in the locker room.[73]Career statistics
Club appearances and goals
Emre Can began his senior professional career with Bayern Munich, making 4 appearances and scoring 1 goal in the Bundesliga during the 2012–13 season.[91] He then moved on loan to Bayer Leverkusen for the 2013–14 campaign, where he recorded 39 appearances and 4 goals across all competitions.[92] At Liverpool from 2014 to 2018, Can amassed 167 appearances and 14 goals in all competitions, including 10 goals in 115 Premier League matches.[92] His tenure at Juventus (2018–2020) yielded 45 appearances and 4 goals, primarily in Serie A.[92] Since joining Borussia Dortmund in 2020, where he currently serves as captain, Can has made 204 appearances and scored 20 goals as of the end of the 2024–25 season.[92] The table below details his total senior club appearances and goals (all competitions):| Club | Years | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bayern Munich | 2012–2013 | 4 | 1 |
| Bayer Leverkusen | 2013–2014 | 39 | 4 |
| Liverpool | 2014–2018 | 167 | 14 |
| Juventus | 2018–2020 | 45 | 4 |
| Borussia Dortmund | 2020–present | 204 | 20 |
| Total | 459 | 43 |
International appearances and goals
Emre Can began his international career with Germany at youth levels, representing the nation from under-15 to under-21 categories. He featured prominently in the under-17 team at the 2011 FIFA U-17 World Cup and progressed to the under-21 squad for the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship, where Germany reached the semi-finals.[17] Can earned his first senior call-up in August 2015 and made his debut on 4 September 2015, starting in a 3-2 away win over Poland in UEFA Euro 2016 qualifying.[93] He scored his first international goal just three days later, on 7 September 2015, in a 2-3 friendly defeat to Scotland.[93] Over the subsequent years, Can established himself as a versatile utility player, capable of operating in midfield or defense, though often deployed as a substitute in major competitions. By October 2024, he had accumulated 48 caps, scoring three goals in total.[93] His most recent appearance came on 10 September 2024 in a 2-2 UEFA Nations League draw against the Netherlands.[93] Can's senior appearances included several major tournaments. At UEFA Euro 2016, he made three substitute outings as Germany advanced to the semi-finals before a penalty shootout loss to France.[93] He played a more significant role in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, starting in the semi-final where he scored Germany's fourth goal in a 4-1 victory over Mexico on 29 June 2017, helping secure a place in the final; Germany won the tournament 1-0 against Chile.[93] At the 2018 FIFA World Cup, Can appeared in two group-stage matches amid Germany's early exit.[93] His third international goal came during UEFA Euro 2024, opening the scoring in a 5-1 group-stage win over Scotland on 14 June 2024, though Germany were eliminated in the quarter-finals by Spain.[93]| Competition | Appearances | Goals |
|---|---|---|
| Total Senior | 48 | 3 |
Honours and achievements
Club honours
With Bayern Munich (2011–2013), Can was part of the squad that achieved the treble in the 2012–13 season, winning the Bundesliga, DFB-Pokal, and UEFA Champions League; he made four Bundesliga appearances and was an unused substitute in the Champions League final victory over Borussia Dortmund on 25 May 2013.[5][12] He also contributed to the DFL-Supercup win on 12 August 2012 against Dortmund (4–2 on penalties).[5] At Juventus (2018–2020), Can secured two consecutive Serie A titles in 2018–19 and 2019–20, appearing in 42 league matches across those campaigns.[5][94] He was also part of the team that won the Supercoppa Italiana on 16 January 2019 against Milan (1–0).[94][41] With Borussia Dortmund (2020–present), Can won the DFB-Pokal in 2020–21, starting in the 4–1 final victory over RB Leipzig on 13 May 2021.[5][94] No league titles have been secured during his tenure, though the team finished as Bundesliga runners-up in 2019–20 prior to his arrival and reached the Champions League final in 2023–24.[5] Can did not win major honours with Bayer Leverkusen (2013–2014) or Liverpool (2014–2018), despite reaching finals in the UEFA Europa League (2016) and UEFA Champions League (2018) with the latter.[5][94]International honours
Emre Can's sole senior international honour came with the Germany national team in the 2017 FIFA Confederations Cup, which Germany won by defeating Chile 1–0 in the final on 2 July 2017 at Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia.[95] Can featured in five of Germany's seven matches during the tournament, starting four and substituting in the final in the 79th minute for Leon Goretzka.[96] The victory marked Germany's first title in the competition, with Can contributing to a squad that included several young players testing themselves ahead of the 2018 FIFA World Cup.[95] Despite earning 44 caps for Germany between 2015 and 2023, including participations in UEFA Euro 2016, the 2018 FIFA World Cup, and UEFA Euro 2020, no additional titles were secured.[25]