Hüsnü Savman

Hüsnü Savman — Biography

Hüsnü Savman was born on 18 August 1908 in Gönen, Balıkesir. One of Beşiktaş's legendary figures, he was the first player at the club to be given the nickname "Baba" (Father), earned through his bold style of play and gentlemanly character. Playing alongside club legends such as Hakkı Yeten, Şeref Görkey and Hüseyin Saygun, he was a key part of the Beşiktaş side that won six Istanbul championships between 1933 and 1943, five of them in a row, and he later captained the team.

Savman represented Turkey at the 1936 Berlin Olympics. Shortly after retiring from football he took up a role in intelligence, and he died in Istanbul on 8 March 1945 at just 37 years old. He remains one of six Turkish footballers to carry the nickname "Baba".