Cemil Turan

Cemil Turan — Biography

Cemil Turan is a former forward regarded as one of the most prolific scorers in Turkish football. He scored 194 goals for Fenerbahçe, was top scorer in the Süper Lig three times, was named sportsman of the year in 1977 and went on to work in the club's administration after retiring. He was known for his technique, sudden bursts of pace, ability to slip past opponents, skill in finding space and ball control.

He began playing for Sarıyer at the age of 14, turned professional in 1966 and won the 1970-71 Spor Toto Cup with İstanbulspor. His breakthrough came at Fenerbahçe, whom he joined in 1972 and played for until 1980. With the team he won league titles in 1973-74, 1974-75 and 1977-78 and the Turkish Cup in 1973-74 and 1978-79, along with Super Cup wins. His scoring titles came with 14 goals in 1973-74, 17 in 1975-76 (shared with Ali Osman Renklibay) and 17 in 1977-78, and he scored 120 goals in 293 Süper Lig matches. In 1974 he took part, with teammates, in the recording of Yaşa Fenerbahçe, the club's first known anthem.

For the national team he scored 19 goals in 44 senior matches; he played 52 matches for Turkey in all, captained the side 13 times and received the gold medal of honour. After his career he held administrative roles at İstanbulspor and, from the 1999-2000 season, at Fenerbahçe, where he worked at the club's academy.