(Reuters) – Former Galatasaray and Turkey defender Ahmet Calik has died in a car crash, aged 27, his club Konyaspor confirmed on Tuesday.
“We are in deep sorrow to have lost our player Ahmet Calik who earned our fans’ and city’s love since the first day he arrived at Konyaspor,” the club posted on Twitter.
According to Turkish website Spor Arena the crash happened on a motorway near the capital Ankara where Calik was heading during a day off to finalise plans for his wedding.
Calik made more than 50 appearances for Galatasaray during a three-year spell before joining Konyaspor in 2020.
The centre back also played eight times for the Turkish senior team between 2015 and 2017 and was part of the Euro 2016 squad, although did not play a match.
In a statement the Turkish FA said: “It is with deep sadness that we learned that Ahmet Calik, football player of Ittifak Holding Konyaspor, who also played in our national team, passed away as a result of a traffic accident.
“May Allah have mercy on the deceased.”
Galatasaray also issued their own tribute.
“It is with deep sadness that we learned of the death of our former football player Ahmet Calik,” the club said on its website. “We express our condolences to his grieving family, loved ones and Turkish sports community.”
(Reporting by Martyn Herman; Editing by Christian Radnedge)
