Alim Öztürk

Alim Öztürk — Biography

Alim Öztürk was born on 17 November 1992 in Alkmaar, Netherlands, to Turkish parents. Growing up with three siblings, he started playing football at age nine with the AFC '34 youth team before moving on to FC Groningen. In 2011 he joined Eerste Divisie side SC Cambuur, quickly breaking into the first team and making his professional debut in 2012. Having represented Turkey at youth level, the centre-back transferred to Trabzonspor in 2013; unable to secure a place in the first team, he was loaned to 1461 Trabzon before leaving Trabzonspor by mutual consent. He later described his time in Turkish football as difficult, citing more long balls and tougher physical battles. In 2014 he signed with Scottish club Heart of Midlothian, scoring four goals in his debut season and being named to the Championship's Team of the Year; after the club's promotion to the Premiership he was made team captain.

Öztürk returned to Turkey with Boluspor in 2017, then moved to England's Sunderland in 2018 for a two-year spell. He joined Ümraniyespor in 2020 and later played for Samsunspor, where he spoke of aiming for further promotion with the squad. In 2024 he transferred to Iğdır FK, helping the team advance to the group stage of the Turkish Cup. Fluent in Dutch, Turkish and English, Öztürk was popular enough with Hearts supporters that they named a beer after him.