Mert Hakan Yandaş (born 19 August 1994) is a Turkish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Süper Lig club Fenerbahçe.
Professional career Early career Born in Bursa, he lost his father when he was only 9 years old. His father was also an amateur football player and in an interview, he said that he grew up in a family that loved football and that he promised his father to be a football player when he was little.
He spent part of his youth in Bursa Güven and Yeşil Bursa and his first season as a senior in amateur football. Mert Hakan made his first professional contract with Altınordu.
In the 2014–15 season, he loaned to Tire 1922. He made a very strong start with new coach Taha Evke in there and became one of the key players who took more responsibility on the field, scored 13 goals in 25 TFF Third League matches. He signed with them a permanent contract for the 2015–16 season, where has been top goalscorer with 21 goals (in 34 matches) in 2015–16 TFF Third League season.
In the 2016–17 season, he transferred to TFF Second League side Menemen Belediyespor where he played with Serkan Çalık, Erman Kılıç, Gökhan Ünal and İbrahim Dağaşan.
Sivasspor Mert Hakan Yandaş joined Süper Lig side Sivasspor on 14 July 2017, after a couple successful seasons in the lower Turkish leagues with Tirespor 1922 and Menemen Belediyespor.
He made his professional debut for Sivasspor in a 2–0 Süper Lig win over Yeni Malatyaspor on 19 August 2017. On 21 September 2017, he scored his first goal with the team against Bugsaşspor in a 3–0 win Turkish Cup match.
Fenerbahçe On 11 August 2020, Yandaş transferred to Süper Lig powerhouse Fenerbahçe on a free transfer, signed four years deal. On 21 September 2020, he made his debut in a 0–0 tie against Hatayspor in 2020–21 Süper Lig season. On 21 November 2020, he scored his first goal against Gençlerbirliği in Süper Lig match, netting the first goal in a 5–1 away game victory.
In the 2021–22 season, Yandaş was made vice-captain after Altay Bayındır and Mesut Özil. On 16 September 2021, he made his continental debut in his career against Eintracht Frankfurt in UEFA Europa League away game which finished 1–1. On 4 November 2021, he captained Fenerbahçe for the first time in a 3–0 UEFA Europa League win over Royal Antwerp, where he also scored a goal from outside the box.
On 23 August 2023, Yandaş made his 100th appearances in all competitions for Fenerbahçe against Twente in 5–1 UEFA Europa Conference League play-off round victory. On 21 June 2024, Fenerbahçe extended his contract for two years. On 16 February 2025, he made his 100th Süper Lig appearances for Fenerbahçe against Kasımpaşa in a 3–1 home win.
On 5 August 2025, Yandaş became captain of Fenerbahçe, but lost his role to Milan Škriniar due to his betting allegations.
Betting investigation
As part of an investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and known to the public as the “Football Betting Investigations”, he was detained on 5 December 2025, after it was determined that he had placed bets on legal betting sites through another person. On 27 February, an indictment has been prepared against him, seeking a prison sentence ranging from 4 to 13 years. On 3 April, the court issued a release order for him.
International career
Without any youth international experience, Yandaş made his debut with the Turkey national football team in a 1-0 UEFA Nations League loss to Hungary on 3 September 2020.
Playing style Yandaş is a modern midfielder known for his strong passing and shots from outside the box. He is known for his good technique. He plays mainly as an attacking or a central midfielder but can also operate in several other positions and has been used as a deeper creative midfield position and on occasion, a box-to-box role, winger or second striker. He is often described by pundits as modern day advanced playmakers due to his technique, skill, athleticism, work-rate off the ball, vision, crossing accuracy, wide range of passing, and powerful long-range shooting ability with either foot.
His nickname is Commandante to his combative nature and dominance on the field.
Career statistics Club
+ Appearances and goals by club, season and competitionClubSeasonLeagueTurkish CupContinentalOtherTotalDivisionAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoalsYeşil Bursa2012–13TFF Third League17100——171Altınordu2013–14TFF Second League4000——40Tire 1922 (loan)2014–15TFF Third League251311——2614Tire 19222015–16TFF Third League342120——3621Total59343100006235Menemen Belediyespor2016–17TFF Second League351274——4216Sivasspor2017–18Süper Lig22142——2632018–19Süper Lig9000—111012019–20Süper Lig32654——3710Total6379600117314Fenerbahçe2020–21Süper Lig34440——3842021–22Süper Lig2402072—3322022–23Süper Lig1505040—2402023–24Süper Lig1623180002732024–25Süper Lig13031110—2712025–26Süper Lig000000—00Total10261723020014910Career total2806036133021134776
International As of match played 3 September 2020.
+ Appearances and goals by national team and yearNational teamYearAppsGoalsTurkey202010Total10
Honours Altınordu TFF 2. Lig: 2013–14
Fenerbahçe Turkish Cup: 2022–23 Turkish Super Cup: 2025
References
External links
Mert Hakan Yandaş at www.fenerbahce.org (in Turkish)