Baran Aksaka

Baran Aksaka — Biography

Özgür Baran Aksaka, known as Baran Aksaka, is a young midfielder who came through Galatasaray's academy and was in the squad that won the 2022-23 Süper Lig. Holding dual citizenship, he can represent both Turkey and Bulgaria. He most recently played for İskenderunspor.

He began playing at eight, joined Galatasaray's academy in 2013 and signed his first professional contract on February 1, 2022. He made his first-team debut on October 19, 2022, in a Turkish Cup tie against Kastamonuspor and his league debut on January 4, 2023, against Ankaragücü; in January 2023 Galatasaray extended his contract to the summer of 2026. In December 2022 he was reported to have received a call-up from Bulgaria's under-21 side, Turkey under-21 coach Tolunay Kafkas said he wanted to call him up as well, and Bulgaria's under-21 coach confirmed in 2023 that he had decided to play for Bulgaria.

He then spent a series of loan spells away from Galatasaray: Şanlıurfaspor in September 2023, Gençlerbirliği in February 2024 and Bulgaria's Arda Kardzhali in July 2024. In 2025 he moved to İskenderunspor.