National coach Hans Flick has shown him an “attractive perspective” for the German national team – but the move to Turkey is now taking place, which is possible according to FIFA statutes.
FIFA rules allow association changes
Since 2020, FIFA has stipulated that a player may not be transferred until he has completed more than three senior international matches for his previous association or has played in a World Cup or continental championship finals. This is not the case with Özcan.
When changing associations, FIFA stipulates that the player must retain citizenship and, in addition, either
- was born in the country of the new association.
- his father and/or mother were born there.
- a grandparent was born there.
- or he has lived in the country for at least five years.
In his post on Instagram, Özcan refers to Turkey as his parents’ country of birth.
Özcan with a strong season in Cologne
In Cologne he was at times considered an “eternal talent”, but Özcan is currently playing what is probably his strongest season in the Cologne jersey under coach Steffen Baumgart. “What Salih tore down today, what he won in tackles and how he kept pushing… That’s what you need in a game like this”Baumgart said in November after the 4-1 win over Borussia Mönchengladbach.