Vahap Özaltay

Vahap Özaltay — Biography

Vahap Özaltay, born Beşiroğlu Vahap, came into the world in Beirut around 1907-1909 (most records give 1908) as the son of a civil servant. At age ten his family relocated to Aydın, and after the Greek occupation of İzmir in 1919 they settled in Kastamonu, where he first took up football.

In 1932 he became the first Turkish footballer to play abroad when he signed with Racing Club de France, winning a French league title during his time there. He went on to play three separate spells for Altay S.K., and in 1937 he was recognized as Turkey's first professional footballer; he chose his surname out of loyalty to that club. He is also remembered as the first Black player to wear the Turkish national team jersey.

Regarded as one of Altay's legendary figures, Özaltay died on June 10, 1965. A square and a statue in İzmir's Alsancak district honor his memory.