Ümit Davala

Lore & Background

Davala played as a defender or midfielder with VfR Mannheim, ASV Feudenheim, Türkspor Mannheim, Afyonspor, Diyarbakırspor and İstanbulspor before joining Galatasaray in 1997. He won three successive Turkish championships. In 2000, he helped the club to win the Turkish Cup by scoring two goals in the final against Beşiktaş. In the same year, he helped the club win the 2000 UEFA Cup final against Arsenal and the 2000 UEFA Super Cup against Real Madrid.

In September 2001, Davala transferred to Milan. He made the transfer because he wanted to follow his former coach at Galatasaray, Fatih Terim, who had been named head coach of Milan. However, in November, Terim was fired and replaced by Carlo Ancelotti, after which Davala lost his first-team place. In June 2002, Davala was sold to Inter Milan in exchange for Dario Šimić, but was immediately loaned to Galatasaray.

In July 2003, Davala was loaned to Werder Bremen, helping the club win the Bundesliga and DFB-Pokal double. In July 2004, he was signed permanently by Bremen, but injuries limited his appearances. A hip injury suffered in October 2005 proved too difficult, and over the winter break of the 2005–06 season, Davala was released by the club. He subsequently retired from professional football.

Reader's Guide

Davala is not a Fenerbahçe player; he is a Galatasaray icon. He never played for Fenerbahçe at any level. He did not return to Galatasaray after 2001; his loan to Galatasaray in 2002 is not described as a return to a boyhood club. After retirement, he played futsal for Turkey and later became a coach, including assistant manager roles at Galatasaray.

Did You Know?

• He provided the cross that resulted in İlhan Mansız's golden goal against Senegal in the 2002 World Cup quarter-finals.
• Davala released several rap themed songs after retiring from football, including a collaboration with Kayahan.