Subsequently, he had everything arranged with La Liga club Recreativo de Huelva in August 2007, but the deal eventually collapsed and he stayed at Trabzonspor; in October, FIFA stepped in and declared Ersen a player of the Spanish side[1][2]– he had dual citizenship, but that status changed with 2007 changes in German laws and so, he eventually played his first season for the Andalusians as a foreign player.

On 3 February 2008, Ersen made his Recreativo debut in a 2–1 loss to Sevilla, during which was sent off for a reckless challenge after just eight minutes as a substitute.

[3] On 27 April he got his first start and scored his first goal for Recre, also assisting Javier Camuñas in a 2–0 home win that sent Levante to the second division.

[4] On 1 July 2009, Ersen signed a two-year deal with Sivasspor, ending speculation he would be joining Scotland's Heart of Midlothian.

Ersen received his first cap for the Turkey national team on 18 August 2004, in a 2–1 friendly home loss to Belarus.