Aykut Erçetin

Aykut Erçetin — Biography

Aykut Erçetin is a former goalkeeper who spent more than ten years at Galatasaray, mostly as understudy to Faryd Mondragón and later Leo Franco, yet won four Süper Lig titles. Born in Germany, he was spotted by Turkish scouts while in the Stuttgart academy.

His father was a handball goalkeeper, and Erçetin turned to football at five, joined Stuttgart's youth setup at 14 and attended a school of languages and sport at the same time. Former Galatasaray player Erdal Keser recommended him to Fatih Terim, and he signed in 2003. In his early years he wore number 12 behind Mondragón; his first Süper Lig game came in November 2003 against Denizlispor, after Mondragón was sent off. He was in the squad that won the Turkish Cup in 2004-05. When Mondragón left for Köln at the start of 2007-08 he got more opportunities and his crucial saves helped that season's title. He then backed up Franco; in 2009-10 he played 12 games, conceded 13 goals and saved a penalty. The 2011-12 and 2012-13 league titles, the 2013-14 Turkish Cup and three Super Cups also joined his honors. He ended his career at Rizespor.

He played for Turkey at under-17, under-18, under-21 and B level, and his senior debut is dated to a friendly against Azerbaijan on April 12, 2006. He speaks Turkish, German, English and Latin.