Aydın Yelken

Aydın Yelken — Biography

Aydın Yelken was a footballer who could play on the wing or up front, a left winger for the Fenerbahçe side of the 1960s who won nine caps for the Turkey national team and scored three goals. He returned to Fenerbahçe, where he had come through the youth ranks, as a professional from Karagümrük, and won two league titles in a row with the navy-and-yellow. After retiring he stayed close to the club and served on its board of directors and High Advisory Council.

Starting in Fenerbahçe's youth system, Yelken turned professional at Karagümrük in 1957. Before the 1963-64 season he moved to Fenerbahçe; in three seasons on the left flank he scored 29 goals in 78 league games and was part of the squads that won the league in 1963-64 and 1964-65. After Fenerbahçe he wore the shirts of Altay, İzmirspor and Hatayspor, winning the Turkish Cup with Altay in 1966-67.

Between 1961 and 1965 he made nine appearances for the senior national team. He played alongside Lefter Küçükandonyadis, Can Bartu, Ogün Altıparmak, Ziya Şengül and Metin Oktay in national sides at various levels and at club level. As member number 2415 of the club, he later sat on Fenerbahçe's board and its High Advisory Council. He died in Istanbul on 16 August 2022, aged 83.