Kadir Bekmezci

Kadir Bekmezci — Biography

Kadir Bekmezci is an attacking midfielder who was born in Belgium and spent most of his career in Turkey. He is best remembered for his years at Sivasspor, where more than 180 Süper Lig appearances make him the club's most-capped league player. He also played for Hacettepe, Antalyaspor, Boluspor and Elazığspor, and now plays for Regional Amateur League side Devrek Belediyespor.

Born in Seraing to a working-class family, Bekmezci began at the R. Standard de Liège academy and stayed until 2005. He then played for K Beringen-Heusden-Zolder, Eupen and KFC Verbroedering Geel, and although he saw little playing time at Geel he still made the shortlists of Turkish clubs. He arrived at Hacettepe in 2007-08 and settled in without trouble and played regularly in the Süper Lig for two seasons. When Hacettepe were relegated at the end of 2008-09 he moved to Sivasspor, stayed until 2015 and at one point served as captain. In July 2015 he signed for Antalyaspor on a free transfer, together with Chico, and played 17 games, then moved, again for free, to the 1. Lig side Boluspor on January 8, 2017. He left Elazığspor in August 2021.

His bond with Sivasspor endured, and in May 2023 he paid the club a visit.