Yusuf Soysal

Yusuf Soysal — Biography

Yusuf Soysal is a Frankfurt-born former goalkeeper best remembered in Kayseri, for Kayseri Erciyesspor and Kayserispor. His career, which began at Gençlerbirliği, stood out for the 2006-07 Turkish Cup final with Erciyesspor and his performances in the UEFA Cup.

He turned professional at Gençlerbirliği (1998-2000); on August 27, 1998, he played once for Turkey's under-16 side against Qatar and conceded two goals in that match. The following years were a run of moves: Hacettepe (2001-02), Uşakspor (2002-04) and Eskişehirspor (2004-05), where he did not find the success he wanted. In August 2005 he joined Kayseri Erciyesspor, where he started as a backup keeper and played two Süper Lig matches in 2005-06. He was in the squad that reached the Turkish Cup final in 2006-07, played an important part against Maccabi Tel Aviv in the UEFA Cup, and earned notice for his saves even in a heavy defeat to Atlético Madrid.

When Erciyesspor were relegated he did not leave and kept goal in the first division, becoming one of the team's key players. At the end of the season he fell out with the management and left. Although he agreed to join MKE Ankaragücü ahead of 2008-09, he moved to Kayserispor after the first week of the season, and his good matches and likeable manner made him a favorite of Kayseri football fans.