27.05.2026 19:00
Finally, Tolgay Arslan, the former Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe player who most recently played for the Japanese team Sanfrecce Hiroshima, announced that he has ended his football career at the age of 35.
Tolgay Arslan, the experienced midfielder who left a mark on the Süper Lig wearing the jerseys of Beşiktaş and Fenerbahçe, has announced that he has ended his professional football career.
TOLGAY ARSLAN RETIRES FROM FOOTBALL
The 35-year-old footballer, who has successfully played for Japan's prestigious club Sanfrecce Hiroshima for the last two seasons, announced his retirement with these words: "I am writing these lines holding back my tears, but with pride. The time has come to make one of the hardest decisions of my life: to retire from active football. I am sincerely proud to be able to end my career at Sanfrecce Hiroshima. If I was able to give back even a fraction of what I received from you on the field, I could not be happier. Thank you so much for trusting me, believing in me, and accepting me as a member of this family. Even though I am retiring from football, my bond with this city and this club will remain special. With love, Tolgay."
A SUCCESSFUL CAREER FROM DORTMUND TO JAPAN
Tolgay Arslan, who started his football career in the Borussia Dortmund youth academy, played for Hamburg, Alemannia Aachen, Beşiktaş, Fenerbahçe, Udinese, and Melbourne City before transferring to his final destination, Sanfrecce Hiroshima. Throughout his career at the club level, the experienced midfielder played a total of 477 official matches at the senior team level, providing his team with a significant scoring contribution of 49 goals and 35 assists in these matches.
CHAMPIONSHIPS IN THE COLLECTION
Leaving behind a history full of successes, Arslan experienced the joy of winning the Süper Lig championship twice with the Beşiktaş jersey. In Japan, where he spent the final period of his career, Arslan won 1 J.League Cup and 1 Japanese Super Cup with Sanfrecce Hiroshima.