Hakan Şükür

The Bull of the Bosphorus who brought European glory and domestic dominance to Istanbul.

Hakan Şükür is a Turkish former professional footballer who played as a striker for Galatasaray, spending the majority of his professional career with the club. Nicknamed the "Bull of the Bosphorus" and Kral (king), he represented Galatasaray in three different spells and won a total of 14 major titles. He was a three-time Gol Kralı (Goal King, the annual top goalscorer of the Süper Lig). Şükür netted 383 goals throughout his club career and scored the fastest ever goal in a World Cup, in 2002. He retired from football in 2008.

Quick Facts

Constituency: İstanbul (III)
Took office: 12 June 2011
Left office: 23 June 2015
Born: 1 September 1971
Birthplace: Sapanca, Turkey
Party: Independent (2013–present)
Other party: Justice and Development Party (2011–2013)
Children: 3

Lore & Background

Şükür first joined Galatasaray after playing for Sakaryaspor and Bursaspor. In his first year with the club, he scored 19 goals in thirty matches, helping Galatasaray win both the league and cup titles. He moved to Torino in 1995 but returned to Galatasaray in the following winter transfer window after only netting once in Serie A. Upon his return, he scored 16 league goals and helped the club win the cup. The following season, he collected 38 goals in the league, tying for second-most goals scored in a season with Metin Oktay. He won the Gol Kralı award the following two seasons, netting 33 and 18 goals respectively, with Galatasaray winning the title in all three seasons. In the 1999–2000 season, Galatasaray completed a domestic double and added the UEFA Cup, becoming the first Turkish side to win a European title; in the 4–1 penalty shootout win against Arsenal, Şükür scored on his attempt.

Reader's Guide

During his tenure at Galatasaray, Hakan Şükür established himself as a prolific striker, winning the Gol Kralı award three times. His playing style was characterized by exceptional positioning and a devastating shot. In the 1999–2000 season, his last with Galatasaray in his second stint, the team completed a domestic double for the second year in succession and added the UEFA Cup, becoming the first Turkish side to win a European title. He scored ten times in 17 games during that European campaign. After returning to Galatasaray in 2003, he helped the team win the 2005 Turkish cup and the 2005–06 league title. He helped the club win a record-tying 17th first division title in 2007–08, netting eleven goals, before retiring. His legacy is deeply embedded in the fanbase's memory; he is remembered for his passion and leadership on the pitch.

Did You Know?

Şükür scored the fastest ever goal in a FIFA World Cup, netting against South Korea 10.8 seconds into the third-place play-off in 2002.
He was selected as Turkey's Golden Player by the Turkish Football Federation in November 2003 to celebrate UEFA's Jubilee.
Şükür scored 38 goals in all European competitions during his career.
Şükür's first wife, Esra Elbirlik, married him in a ceremony broadcast live on television, initiated by Prime Minister Tansu Çiller and performed by Mayor of Istanbul Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.