Mert Altınöz

Mert Altınöz (born 28 May 2002) is a Turkish footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for TFF Third League club Elazığspor. Although he plays primarily as an attacking midfielder for his club, his versatility as a player means he can play a variety of roles across the midfield.

Personal life
Altınöz was born in the province of Hatay in Turkey. He is described as "quick, dynamic, and creative with the ball at his feet". His younger brother, Ali, is currently playing for the U19 team of Süper Lig club Hatayspor.

Youth
Altınöz signed with Turkish side Hatayspor as a youth player in 2016, eventually getting promoted from the youth academy to the U21 team in 2019, playing matches for Hatayspor's U21 and U19 teams.

Hatayspor
After spending 2 years in the Hatayspor youth teams, he signed his first professional contract with the club in 2021. He did not make a single appearance for the team in the Süper Lig, but played his first match for the club in a 2–1 win over Şanlıurfaspor in the Turkish Cup.

Dynamic Herb Cebu
In March of 2022, it was announced by Hatay mayor Lütfü Savaş that Altınöz, along with Arda Çınkır and Nazım Özcan, his teammates, would be transferring to Philippines Football League side Dynamic Herb Cebu, as part of the club's partnership with the Turkish side. His signing was formally announced on April 1, 2022.

Altınöz made his debut for the club in the 2022 Copa Paulino Alcantara, the country's domestic cup competition, in a 2–0 win over Stallion Laguna. On May 2, 2022, he scored his first goal for the club in a 3–1 win over Mendiola 1991, scoring the club's third goal. He remained with the club for the 2022–23 Philippines Football League, claiming 5 goals and 8 assists before renewing his contract with the club for the 2nd half of the season. In March, Cebu and Altınöz qualified for the 2023–24 edition of the AFC Cup.