Süleyman Oktay

Süleyman Oktay — Biography

Born İsmail Süleyman Oktay on 9 January 1959 in Istanbul, he is a former Turkish international footballer who played as a midfielder and right-back. He spent his entire professional career with Beşiktaş, winning the Turkish First Football League title with the club in the 1981-82 season, and also earned caps for the Turkish national team.

Known for his long blond hair and his powerful shots from distance, Oktay was nicknamed "Sarı Süleyman" ("Blond Süleyman") by fans, and his playing style and appearance were later compared to those of Dutch defender Ronald Koeman. After retiring as a player he also worked in coaching, remaining closely tied to the Beşiktaş football community.