Taha Özcelik

Taha Özcelik (born 5 September 2000) is a Finnish footballer who plays as a midfielder for Tampere United in Kakkonen.

Taha Özcelik

Personal information
Date of birth	(2000-09-05) 5 September 2000 (age 24)
Place of birth	Finland
Height	1.85 m (6 ft 1 in)
Position(s)	Midfielder
Team information
Current team	Tampere United
Number	17
Youth career
	TPV
0000–2017	Ilves
Senior career*
Years	Team	Apps	(Gls)
2017–2022	Ilves II	46	(2)
2021	Ilves	15	(1)
2023–	Tampere United	49	(6)
* Club domestic league appearances and goals as of 22 October 2024

Club career

Özcelik started football in the youth sector of Tampereen Pallo-Veikot (TPV) when aged nine, before joining Ilves.^[1]

Özcelik debuted in Veikkausliiga with Ilves first team in the 2021 season. He scored his first league goal on 23 June 2021, in a win against Inter Turku.^[2][1]

On 17 February 2023, Özcelik signed with fellow Tampere-based club Tampere United (TamU), competing in third-tier Kakkonen.^[3] On 19 December 2023, he extended his deal with TamU.^[4] At the end of the 2024 season, Özcelik helped TamU to win a promotion to third-tier Ykkönen, by beating HJS in the promotion play-offs.^[5]

Personal life

Born in Finland, Özcelik is of Turkish descent,^[6] and holds a dual Finnish-Turkish citizenship. His brother Berkin Özcelik is also a footballer, playing for Ilves II reserve team.^[1]

Career statistics

As of 22 October 2024.

Appearances and goals by club, season and competition

Club	Season	League			Cup[a]		League cup		Europe		Total
		Division	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals	Apps	Goals
Ilves II	2017	Kolmonen	1	0	–		–		–		1	0
	2018	Kolmonen	15	0	–		–		–		15	0
	2019	Kakkonen	4	2	2	0	–		–		6	2
	2020	Kakkonen	11	0	–		–		–		11	0
	2021	Kakkonen	3	0	1	0	–		–		4	0
	2022	Kakkonen	12	0	–		–		–		12	0
	Total		46	2	3	0	0	0	0	0	49	2
Ilves	2021	Veikkausliiga	14	1	–		–		–		14	1
Tampere United	2023	Kakkonen	22	4	2	0	–		–		24	4
	2024	Kakkonen	27	2	1	0	–		–		28	2
	Total		49	6	3	0	0	0	0	0	52	6
Career total			109	9	6	0	0	0	0	0	115	9

1. Includes Suomen Cup