 Melis Özçiğdem began her sports career after obtaining her license for İzmir Öztürkspor in her hometown on November 8, 1999.She joined Ankara University's football team on March 2, 2001 when she enrolled at the university in Ankara.On December 24 that year, she moved to Gazi Üniversitesispor, where she played until the end of the 2001–02 season in the First League capping 8 times and scoring 10 goals.