Kerem Aktürkoğlu

Early career

Aktürkoğlu began his football career at İstanbul Başakşehir's youth academy, signing his first professional contract with the club in 2015 at the age of 16. Despite his potential, he did not feature in any matches for Başakşehir during his four-year contract. In 2016, he was loaned to Bodrumspor in the amateur TFF Third League to gain playing experience. Reflecting on his time at Başakşehir in a later interview, Aktürkoğlu expressed deep frustration, claiming that "four years of his life were stolen" due to a rigid hierarchy under Abdullah Avcı and Emre Belözoğlu, where senior players exercised significant authority over younger talents. This lack of opportunities brought him to the brink of quitting football, but encouragement from his family convinced him to persevere. In 2017, Aktürkoğlu sought a fresh start and joined fellow Turkish TFF Third League side Karacabey Belediyespor on a free transfer in search of regular playing time. He became a key player for his new club, featuring in 35 matches over the season and contributing three goals and two assists. His efforts helped Karacabey reach the promotion play-offs, but the team was eliminated by Serik Belediyespor on July 15, 2019, following a narrow 4–3 aggregate loss. After several seasons in the amateur leagues, Aktürkoğlu signed with 24 Erzincanspor ahead of the 2019–20 season, another free transfer that would prove pivotal in his career. His performances during the season improved, with a notable…

Aktürkoğlu represented Turkey at under-18 and under-19 levels, for a total of four caps. He made his senior international debut on 27 May 2021 in a friendly against Azerbaijan. On 1 June 2021, he was named in the Turkish squad for the postponed UEFA Euro 2020, but did not make an appearance in an eventual group stage exit. He scored his first international goal on 8 October 2021 in a 1–1 home draw against Norway in a 2022 FIFA World Cup qualification match. On 7 June 2024, he was named in Turkey's 26-man squad for the UEFA Euro 2024. On 18 June, he scored Turkey's third goal in a 3–1 victory against Georgia in the opening match of the European competition. He made a further four appearances for the quarter-finalists. On 9 September 2024, Aktürkoğlu scored his first international hat-trick against Iceland in a 3–1 win in the UEFA Nations League. On 31 March 2026, he scored the only goal in a 1–0 away win over Kosovo in the 2026 FIFA World Cup European play-off final, qualifying his nation to the World Cup for the first time since 2002. On 2 June 2026, Aktürkoğlu was selected in the 26-man squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup.

Aktürkoğlu was born on 21 October 1998 in İzmit, Turkey. At ten months old, he survived the 1999 İzmit earthquake.

Aktürkoğlu is a practicing Muslim, and made the Umrah pilgrimage to Mecca. In September 2024, Aktürkoğlu started his own Kick channel, under his surname Akturkoglu, uploading gaming streams and fan Q&As. He provided both financial and moral support to victims of the 2023 Turkey–Syria earthquake. Actively participating in the "We Are Together" campaign, he encouraged citizens to host displaced individuals, especially in Hatay, one of the hardest-hit Turkish regions. He also donated the match ball from his hat-trick against Başakşehir to an auction, with the proceeds aiding earthquake recovery efforts in his home country.