Serkan Kurtuluş

Serkan Kurtuluş — Biography

Serkan Kurtuluş is a right-back who came through Bursaspor's youth system and earned the title of youngest professional to play in the league, having appeared against Beşiktaş at just 16. After an early move to Galatasaray he spent later years at Anatolian clubs, and he now plays for Second League side Kırşehir Belediyespor.

He was in his final year at Bursa Erkek Lisesi when he made his first professional appearance for Bursaspor. In 2008 he joined Galatasaray on a five-year contract; in his first competitive match, against AC Bellinzona, he set up a goal for Harry Kewell, and he made his league debut on March 6, 2009, against his old club Bursaspor. After eight games in his first season he was sent to the youth side. Under Gheorghe Hagi he got a run in the starting eleven, but mistakes put him back on the bench and on the transfer list; despite a goal against Berlin Türkiyemspor before 2011-12, Fatih Terim left him out of the Germany training-camp squad. In 2012 he moved to Gençlerbirliği on a free transfer with a 2+1 year deal. He played 16 matches in his first season but only 11 in 2013-14 because of injuries. He later played for Kayserispor, Göztepe and Karşıyaka.

He played 50 matches for Turkey's youth national teams across several age groups. He is the brother of Serdar Kurtuluş, who played for Beşiktaş.