Alpaslan Öztürk

Alpaslan Öztürk — Biography

Alpaslan Öztürk is a right-back and midfielder who was born and raised in Belgium and plays for the Turkey national team. His three seasons at Göztepe made his name in Turkish football; he then moved to Galatasaray, was called up to the senior national side in 2021, and now plays for Kahramanmaraş İstiklalspor.

Born in Antwerp to a Turkish family, he moved at 12 from Berchem Sport to the Beerschot academy and in 2009 joined Birmingham City's youth side. He did not play for the first team in England, left in 2011, returned to Beerschot and made his Pro League debut in January 2012. After Beerschot were relegated in 2013 and went bankrupt, he joined Standard Liège on a free transfer. His Turkish chapter began with loans, one and a half seasons at Kasımpaşa and 2015-16 at Eskişehirspor. At Elazığspor he scored 8 goals; at Göztepe, which he joined on July 1, 2018, he made 76 appearances and scored 13 goals in three seasons. On June 11, 2021, he signed a three-year contract with Galatasaray, was loaned to Eyüpspor in 2022, left Galatasaray in August 2023 and joined Pendikspor.

As a youth he played for both countries: for Turkey at under-18 level in 2010 and for Belgium at under-18 and under-19 level in 2011. With Turkey's under-20s he played in four matches at the 2013 World Cup. He made his senior Turkey debut against Montenegro on September 1, 2021.