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Evergreen Veteran - Tugay Kerimoğlu
Tugay Kerimoğlu is a Turkish International
footballer who has been playing for Blackburn Rovers since 2001.
He started his playing career with Trabzonspor before joining
hometown club Galatasaray in 1987. The dynamo was made captain
in the 1992-93 season, the youngest ever captain for his club.
He won the Turkish Premier Super League six times (1993, 1994,
1997, 1998 and 1999) and the Turkey Cup four times (1991, 1993,
1996 and 1999). The icon has spent 12 seasons at Galatasaray,
making over 200 appearances and scoring 34 goals.
Scottish Glasgow Rangers signed the talented player in 2000. Tugay
won the Scottish Premier League (2000) and the Scottish Cup (2000).
In 2001, newly-promoted Rovers manager Graeme Souness Rovers signed
Tugay for £1.3 millions. Tugay was the captain at Galatasaray
under Souness. Initially, the English Department of Employment
refused his application for a work permit, fortunately Rovers
appealed successfully. |
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The Turkish star is probably the most influential player for Turkey
after Hakan Suker. As a regular international, Tugay has represented
his country over 70 times. Tugay was impressive at the 2002 World
Cup in Korea / Japan, and helped Turkey make it to the semi-finals
before losing to eventual champions Brazil. Tugay retired from
international football in November 2003 after Turkey's failure
to qualify Euro 2004. In his last international appearance, he
wore number 94 to commemorate his 94 caps for his country. Tugay
Kerimoğlu becomes the 4th most capped players for Turkey.
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Tugay had been instrumental for Rovers, and won the English
League Cup (2002). The 37-years old playmaker is creditted
well for his accurate long passes and thunderbolt goals. His evergreen
performances have earned him renewed contracts. Tugay was deservedly
named the club's Player of the Year in the 2003-04 campaign. Tugay won the clubs "goal of the season" award for his strike against Reading in October 2007.
On May 2008, Tugay signed a year long extension to his contract. The deal, believed to be a Pay-As-You-Play deal, will include branching off into coaching in the coming year. This
author and most fans will remember the industrious all-rounder
for his stunning long-range goals, and his contributions for the
club. |
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Club Information
