Ahmet Berman

Ahmet Berman — Biography

Ahmet Berman was a footballer in the Turkey squad at the 1954 World Cup, the country's first, and is associated with both Beşiktaş and Galatasaray. Because of his slightly stooped posture he was nicknamed "Kambur Ahmet" (Hunchback Ahmet), a name that has followed him since his Beşiktaş years. Among supporters and in club circles he is regarded as an important player in the history of both teams.

He began in the youth ranks of Fatih Karagümrük, the team of the Istanbul district where he was born, and soon made a name for himself and moved to Beşiktaş. Galatasaray coach Leandro Remondini insisted on having him, and Berman joined the yellow-reds at the start of 1959-60; he was in the title-winning squads of 1962 and 1963. At the start of 1965-66 he moved to Vefa, where he played two seasons, and he also played for Sivasspor. He ended his career with a testimonial match on 26 June 1968 between Galatasaray and a team of league players, which Galatasaray won 2-1.

He played for the national team 29 times, 16 as a Beşiktaş player and 13 as a Galatasaray player, and captained it twice. He was also named in Beşiktaş's Bronze Team of the century. After football he served for a time as manager of the Ali Sami Yen Stadium. He died in Istanbul in December 1980 and was buried at Feriköy Cemetery.