Arda Turan (b. 1987)
Birthplace:
Bayrampaşa, İstanbul, Turkey
Born:
January 30, 1987
Arda Turan was born on January 30, 1987, in the Bayrampaşa district of Istanbul. Arda began playing football with the neighborhood team Altıntepsi Makelspor and was quickly noticed for his talent, joining Galatasaray's youth academy at the age of 12. Rising quickly through the ranks of the yellow-and-red club's youth academy, Arda caught attention with his technical ability, game intelligence, and leadership qualities. Arda began his professional career at Galatasaray but was loaned to Manisaspor for the 2005-2006 season to gain experience. After his successful performance there, he returned to Galatasaray in a stronger position and became one of the team's indispensable players. Arda, who became captain at a young age, won the Super League (2007-08), Turkish Cup (2004-05), and Super Cup (2008) titles with Galatasaray. His creativity and determination on the pitch made him a fan favorite. In 2011, he transferred to Atlético Madrid, one of Spain's most established clubs, opening a new chapter in his career. Arda became one of the key players in the team managed by coach Diego Simeone, spending four unforgettable seasons there. While playing for Atlético Madrid, he won prestigious titles such as La Liga (2013-14), Copa del Rey (2012-13), UEFA Europa League (2011-12), and UEFA Super Cup (2012). He also achieved the honor of playing in the UEFA Champions League final in 2014. His competitive spirit and technical skills earned him the admiration of Spanish football fans. In the summer of 2015, he transferred to Barcelona, one of the world's top clubs. Despite being unable to play for the first six months due to Barcelona's transfer ban, he eventually joined the team. During his time there, he added new trophies to his collection, including La Liga (2015-16), Copa del Rey (twice), and the Spanish Super Cup (2016). However, he struggled to secure regular playing time in the star-studded squad. In January 2018, he was loaned to Istanbul Başakşehir, a team in the Super League. He won the Super League title with Başakşehir in the 2019-20 season but left the team in the second half of the season. In the final stage of his career, he returned to his home club Galatasaray in 2020 and announced the end of his active football career in September 2022 after playing two more seasons. Despite occasionally making headlines for on-field and off-field incidents throughout his career, his talent was always widely recognized. Arda Turan also represented the Turkish national team for many years, making his debut in 2006. As captain of the national team, he left a lasting impression with his performance at the 2008 European Championship, where Turkey reached the semifinals. With over 100 appearances for the national team, he became one of the most important players in Turkish football history. His playing style was characterized by superior ball control, dribbling skills, game vision, creative passes, and goal-scoring ability. He was a versatile player capable of playing both on the wings and in an offensive midfield position. His leadership on the field and his determination to win were among his most notable traits. After retiring from professional football, Arda Turan returned to the pitch as a coach and took on his first coaching role with TFF 1. Lig side Eyüpspor.