{"id":293892,"first_name":"Kerem","last_name":"Demirbay","short_name":"K. Demirbay","common_name":"Kerem Demirbay","place_of_birth":"Herten","gender":"male","height":179,"weight":71,"status":"active","createdAt":"2024-11-07T16:26:11.619Z","updatedAt":"2025-07-06T09:02:41.337Z","locale":"en","age":32,"stb_id":"kerem-demirbay","description":null,"tier":null,"common_name_en":"Kerem Demirbay","top_position":null,"introduction":"Kerem Demirbay is a notable German professional footballer recognized for his contributions as a midfielder. Currently playing for the Süper Lig club Galatasaray, Demirbay has made significant strides in his career, transitioning from a youth international for Turkey to representing Germany at the senior level. Nicknamed 'Dayı' or 'Uncle' due to his striking resemblance to a character from a popular Turkish TV show, Demirbay has achieved commendable success in the football world, most notably winning the FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany in 2017.","early_life_and_career":"## Early Years\nKerem Demirbay was born on 3 July 1993, in Herten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The environment of a football-centric region likely fostered his initial interest in the sport, and he was drawn into the world of football from a young age. While specific details about his family background and education are not outlined in the source, it is evident that he began his football journey early in life.\n\n## Youth Career\nDemirbay's prodigious talent was recognized in 1999 when he joined FC Schalke 04's youth academy. His formative years included stints with Borussia Dortmund and SG Wattenscheid 09, where he honed his craft and laid the groundwork for a promising professional career. Though detailed statistics from his youth years are not provided, his movement through these reputable academies highlights substantial development during this period.","professional_career_and_highlights":"## Club Career\n### Borussia Dortmund\nKerem Demirbay made his professional debut with Borussia Dortmund II on 21 July 2012, in a match against VfL Osnabrück. During this period, he played in the third-tier 3. Liga, garnering experience that contributed to his growth as a professional player. \n\n### Hamburger SV\nAfter agreeing to a transfer during the winter break of the 2013–14 season, Demirbay joined Hamburger SV, officially moving to the club in July 2014. Despite injury setbacks, he made his Bundesliga debut on 19 April 2014 in a match against VfL Wolfsburg.\n\n### 1. FC Kaiserslautern\nIn the 2014–15 season, Demirbay was loaned to 1. FC Kaiserslautern, where he became a regular starter, featuring in 18 matches and substituting in another four times, marking a significant step in his career progression.\n\n### Fortuna Düsseldorf\nDemirbay continued his growth with a season-long loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf starting in August 2015, which added to his experience in Germany's competitive leagues.\n\n### 1899 Hoffenheim\nIn June 2016, Demirbay transferred to 1899 Hoffenheim, an important phase where he donned the number 10 jersey. His vital equalizing goal against 1. FC Köln in April 2016, helped secure Hoffenheim's first-ever European qualification, underscoring his clutch performance during critical moments.\n\n### Bayer Leverkusen\nOn 9 May 2019, Demirbay's transfer to Bayer Leverkusen was announced, following a release clause activation reportedly between €28-32 million. This five-year contractual move saw him continue within the Bundesliga, bringing his technical prowess to the BayArena.\n\n### Galatasaray\nOn 1 August 2023, Demirbay transitioned to Galatasaray. By August 3rd, he had signed a 3-year contract, returning to Turkey with a €3.7 million transfer fee paid by the club to Bayer Leverkusen.\n\n## National Team Career\n### Youth National Teams\nKerem Demirbay began his international career in youth football with the Turkish Football Association. However, an injury precluded his participation in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.\n\n### Senior National Team\nDespite an initial call-up from the Turkish national team in May 2017, Demirbay chose to represent Germany. He debuted for Germany on 6 June 2017, against Denmark and later participated in the 2017 Confederations Cup, contributing to Germany's victorious campaign.","playing_style_and_skills":"## Player Characteristics\nKerem Demirbay is recognized for his role as a midfielder, adept at both offensive and defensive functions equally. Demonstrating a tactical understanding of the game, he complements his physical attributes with technical skills such as precision passing and strategic awareness on the pitch. His role often involves orchestrating play, contributing both goals and assists critical for his teams.\n\n## Performance Statistics\nComprehensive performance metrics like exact match tallies, goals, and assists are not specified in the source, but his contributions at key moments, such as scoring the equalizer for Hoffenheim's European qualification, illustrate his impactful play.\n\n## Records\nWhile no personal records are mentioned in the source, his participation in Germany's Confederations Cup victory represents a significant milestone and team achievement in his career.","notable_achievements":"## Achievements\n### Team Achievements\n- Süper Lig with Galatasaray: 2023–24\n- Turkish Super Cup: 2023\n- FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany: 2017\n\n### Individual Achievements\nNo specific individual awards or honors are documented in the source.\n\n## Awards and Recognition\nDemirbay has received recognition primarily through team accomplishments, with his contributions to Germany’s Confederations Cup victory highlighting his role on an international stage.","impact_on_sport":"## Career Overview\nKerem Demirbay's career encompasses a successful journey through prominent European clubs and the international stage, affirming his role as a proficient midfielder. His adaptability and professionalism have been demonstrated through various team achievements and pivotal career moments.\n\n## Off the Field\nA notable incident in his off-field career involved controversial comments made in a match officiated by female referee Bibiana Steinhaus. Following his apology, Demirbay was sanctioned with a ban and made to referee a girls' junior league match, reflecting the importance of respect and sportsmanship in football.\n\n## Personal Life\nDetails regarding Demirbay’s family life, personal interests, and other off-field activities are not explored within the source.","stb_internal_id":"01930772-9a4f-7cf9-8427-f4c574e54b55","overrides":null,"type_code":"midfielder","position_type_code":"midfielder","detailed_position_type_code":"central-midfied","roles":"player","has_biography":true,"has_membership_relations":true,"has_matches":null,"has_article_relations":false,"has_social_media_relations":false,"introduction_html":"

Kerem Demirbay is a notable German professional footballer recognized for his contributions as a midfielder. Currently playing for the Süper Lig club Galatasaray, Demirbay has made significant strides in his career, transitioning from a youth international for Turkey to representing Germany at the senior level. Nicknamed 'Dayı' or 'Uncle' due to his striking resemblance to a character from a popular Turkish TV show, Demirbay has achieved commendable success in the football world, most notably winning the FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany in 2017.

\n","early_life_and_career_html":"

Early Years

Kerem Demirbay was born on 3 July 1993, in Herten, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany. The environment of a football-centric region likely fostered his initial interest in the sport, and he was drawn into the world of football from a young age. While specific details about his family background and education are not outlined in the source, it is evident that he began his football journey early in life.

Youth Career

Demirbay's prodigious talent was recognized in 1999 when he joined FC Schalke 04's youth academy. His formative years included stints with Borussia Dortmund and SG Wattenscheid 09, where he honed his craft and laid the groundwork for a promising professional career. Though detailed statistics from his youth years are not provided, his movement through these reputable academies highlights substantial development during this period.

\n","professional_career_and_highlights_html":"

Club Career

Borussia Dortmund

Kerem Demirbay made his professional debut with Borussia Dortmund II on 21 July 2012, in a match against VfL Osnabrück. During this period, he played in the third-tier 3. Liga, garnering experience that contributed to his growth as a professional player.

Hamburger SV

After agreeing to a transfer during the winter break of the 2013–14 season, Demirbay joined Hamburger SV, officially moving to the club in July 2014. Despite injury setbacks, he made his Bundesliga debut on 19 April 2014 in a match against VfL Wolfsburg.

1. FC Kaiserslautern

In the 2014–15 season, Demirbay was loaned to 1. FC Kaiserslautern, where he became a regular starter, featuring in 18 matches and substituting in another four times, marking a significant step in his career progression.

Fortuna Düsseldorf

Demirbay continued his growth with a season-long loan to Fortuna Düsseldorf starting in August 2015, which added to his experience in Germany's competitive leagues.

1899 Hoffenheim

In June 2016, Demirbay transferred to 1899 Hoffenheim, an important phase where he donned the number 10 jersey. His vital equalizing goal against 1. FC Köln in April 2016, helped secure Hoffenheim's first-ever European qualification, underscoring his clutch performance during critical moments.

Bayer Leverkusen

On 9 May 2019, Demirbay's transfer to Bayer Leverkusen was announced, following a release clause activation reportedly between €28-32 million. This five-year contractual move saw him continue within the Bundesliga, bringing his technical prowess to the BayArena.

Galatasaray

On 1 August 2023, Demirbay transitioned to Galatasaray. By August 3rd, he had signed a 3-year contract, returning to Turkey with a €3.7 million transfer fee paid by the club to Bayer Leverkusen.

National Team Career

Youth National Teams

Kerem Demirbay began his international career in youth football with the Turkish Football Association. However, an injury precluded his participation in the 2015 UEFA European Under-21 Championship.

Senior National Team

Despite an initial call-up from the Turkish national team in May 2017, Demirbay chose to represent Germany. He debuted for Germany on 6 June 2017, against Denmark and later participated in the 2017 Confederations Cup, contributing to Germany's victorious campaign.

\n","playing_style_and_skills_html":"

Player Characteristics

Kerem Demirbay is recognized for his role as a midfielder, adept at both offensive and defensive functions equally. Demonstrating a tactical understanding of the game, he complements his physical attributes with technical skills such as precision passing and strategic awareness on the pitch. His role often involves orchestrating play, contributing both goals and assists critical for his teams.

Performance Statistics

Comprehensive performance metrics like exact match tallies, goals, and assists are not specified in the source, but his contributions at key moments, such as scoring the equalizer for Hoffenheim's European qualification, illustrate his impactful play.

Records

While no personal records are mentioned in the source, his participation in Germany's Confederations Cup victory represents a significant milestone and team achievement in his career.

\n","notable_achievements_html":"

Achievements

Team Achievements

Süper Lig with Galatasaray: 2023–24
Turkish Super Cup: 2023
FIFA Confederations Cup with Germany: 2017

Individual Achievements

No specific individual awards or honors are documented in the source.

Awards and Recognition

Demirbay has received recognition primarily through team accomplishments, with his contributions to Germany’s Confederations Cup victory highlighting his role on an international stage.

\n","impact_on_sport_html":"

Career Overview

Kerem Demirbay's career encompasses a successful journey through prominent European clubs and the international stage, affirming his role as a proficient midfielder. His adaptability and professionalism have been demonstrated through various team achievements and pivotal career moments.

Off the Field

A notable incident in his off-field career involved controversial comments made in a match officiated by female referee Bibiana Steinhaus. Following his apology, Demirbay was sanctioned with a ban and made to referee a girls' junior league match, reflecting the importance of respect and sportsmanship in football.

Personal Life

Details regarding Demirbay’s family life, personal interests, and other off-field activities are not explored within the source.

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Kerem Demirbay: Career