E. Mendy

Elvin Mendy went from an academy in The Gambia to the Turkish second tier without an intermediate club. He came through the MMK Football Academy, whose chief executive is Ous Colley, and moved to İstanbulspor in early 2026 on a contract that runs until 30 June 2030. The fee was not disclosed.

He played as a defensive midfielder and made his debut on 13 February 2026, in a 3–2 league win over Çorum FK. By the middle of the year he had made about six league appearances for the club in the TFF 1. Lig.

His international career began shortly afterwards. On 29 May 2026 Gambia played Iran in a friendly at the Mardan Sports Complex. Mendy came on in the 85th minute, replacing Tijan Sonha, with his side already trailing. Gambia lost 1–3. It remains his only senior cap, and he has not scored for the national team. He has also played for Gambia at youth level.

Mendy is right-footed and plays in midfield. He has no major team titles or individual awards yet. His first season in Turkey was also his first as a professional, and İstanbulspor's contract gives him until 2030 to build on it.