Emre Demir: Youngest goalscorer in the Süper Lig on the way to Barcelona

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Turkey has many talented footballers, but only a few manage the jump to a top league. Kayserispor midfielder Emre Demir is undoubtedly a candidate to fulfill the dream to play in a top European league. The left-footed talent started his career as a six-year-old at Kuvayi Milliye, an amateur club in his home town Mersin. You could tell at an early age that he was ahead of his age group—both in his physical development but also in terms of his football intelligence; Demir was very special. The midfielder stood out through his speed, his ability on the ball, and as a playmaker.

Demir caught attention when his dad filmed him playing on the street and then put the video online. One of the people watching was Hakan Ertürk, who at the time was an assistant coach at Kayserispor. It took almost a year, but the decision-makers at the club, which included Ertürk, Süleyman Hurma, and Recep Mamur, contacted the talent. In 2012, Demir, then eight years old, was invited to a trial at Kayseri. It was a success. But the family made it a condition that his father would be given a job in Kayseri and the family a fully furnished house.

The talented midfielder developed well and scored one goal after another. In 2019, Demir, then only 15, was promoted to the first team. On matchday 11 of the 2019/20 season, Demir became the youngest goalscorer in Süper Lig's history when he scored in the game between Kayserispor and Gençlerbirliği. The junior national team player scored just moments after he was brought up in the 71st minute, breaking the record set by Enes Ünal (check out the statistic here). His performances have been noticed outside of Turkey, and Barcelona have since secured the rights to the midfielder's services.

Last September, the Spanish top club announced that they had signed Demir for next summer and that he would play for the second team. The Catalans paid €2 million for the midfielder. The contract also includes a €400 million exit clause. But because Demir is not 18, the FIFA rules make an earlier transfer impossible. As a result, the Spaniards will have to wait until next year to complete the deal.

Talents Calendar Day 13: Emre Demir

Demir on his Barcelona transfer: "Will work hard for my goals"

"Since I been a little boy, my goal was always to play for a big European club," Demir said in a conversation with the Turkish press agency DHA about his transfer. "Together with my dad, I always had one dream. Since my childhood, I have dreamed of playing for Barcelona. My family and I are pleased and will work hard for my goals. I am happy that I have achieved my goal. But I know I have to work even harder to represent my country there. It would be a privilege to play for Barcelona for years to come; I hope I will be successful there for many years."

The Catalans plan to integrate more youth players that have made the jump up from the academy into the first team. Because of that, the club is looking to recruit players worldwide. The hope is that it will reduce the need for expensive transfers. Demir now has the opportunity to fulfill his dream and play for Barça and complete a story that started on the streets of Mersin.

From December 1 to 24, we introduce new players from different countries born in 2004. Area managers, users, and data scouts come into play as experts throughout the series. You can follow all those players by adding them to your TM watchlist.